A self-consistent statistical mechanics approach for determining effective elastic properties of composites

A self-consistent statistical mechanics approach for determining the effective elastic properties of composites with random structure is developed. The problem is reduced to the model of a single inclusion with a non-homogeneous elastic neighbourhood in a medium with effective elastic properties. The inhomogeneous elastic properties and size of neighbourhood are defined by randomness of the geometry, random size of inclusions and random elastic properties of the inclusions. Numerical results are given for the effective elastic properties of a composite with hollow spherical inclusions.     

Self-consistent field method in the problem about the effective properties of an elastic composite

This paper is devoted to the calculation of effective elastic properties of a medium containing a random field of ellipsoidal inhomogeneities. It is assumed that the centers of the inclusions (the inhomogeneities) form a random spatial lattice, i.e., the field of inhomogeneities considered is strongly correlated. The interaction between the inhomogeneities is taken into account within the frame-work of the self-consistent field approximation. It hence turns out that the symmetry of the tensor of the elastic properties of the medium is determined by the symmetry of the elastic properties of the inclusion matrix, as well as by the symmetry of the spatial lattice formed by the mathematical expectations of the centers of the inclusions.     

Effective thermoelastic properties of graded doublyperiodic particulate matrix composites in varying externalstress fields

We consider a linear elastic composite medium, which consists of a homogeneousmatrix containing aligned ellipsoidal uncoated or coated inclusions arranged in a doubly periodicarray and subjected to inhomogeneous boundary conditions. The hypothesis of effective fieldhomogeneity near the inclusions is used. The general integral equation obtained reduces theanalysis of infinite number of inclusion problems to the analysis of a finite number of inclusions insome representative volume element (RVE) . The integral equation is solved by a modifiedversion of the Neumann series; the fast convergence of this method is demonstrated for concreteexamples. The nonlocal macroscopic constitutive equation relating the cell averages of stress andstrain is derived in explicit iterative form of an integral equation. A doubly periodic inclusion fieldin a finite ply subjected to a stress gradient along the functionally graded direction is considered.The stresses averaged over the cell are explicitly represented as functions of the boundaryconditions. Finally, the employed of proposed explicit relations for numerical simulations oftensors describing the local and nonlocal effective elastic properties of finite inclusion pliescontaining a simple cubic lattice of rigid inclusions and voids are considered. The local andnonlocal parts of average strains are estimated for inclusion plies of different thickness. Theboundary layers and scale effects for effective local and nonlocal effective properties as well as foraverage stresses will be revealed.     

含正交排列夹杂和缺陷材料的等效弹性模量和损伤

研究含正交排列夹杂和缺陷材料的等效弹性模量和损伤,推导了以Eshelby－Mori－Tanaka方法求解多相各向异性复合材料等效弹性模量的简便计算公式,针对含三相正交椭球状夹杂的正交各向异性材料,得到了由细观参量（夹杂的形状、方位和体积分数）表示的等效弹性模量的解析表达式．在此基础上,提出了一个宏细观结合的正交各向异性损伤模型,从而建立了以细观量为参量的含损伤材料的应力应变关系．最后,对影响材料损伤的细观结构参数进行了分析．     

Triply periodical particulate matrix compositesinvarying external stress fields

We consider a linear elastic composite medium, which consists of ahomogeneousmatrix containing aligned ellipsoidal uncoated or coated inclusions arranged in aperiodic arrayand subjected to inhomogeneous boundary conditions. The hypothesis of effectivefieldhomogeneity near the inclusions is used. The general integral equation obtained reducestheanalysis of infinite number of inclusion problems to the analysis of a finite number of inclusionsinsome representative volume element (RVE) . The integral equation is solved by theFouriertransform method as well as by the iteration method of the Neumann series ( first-orderapproximation) . The nonlocal macroscopic constitutive equation relating the unit cellaverages ofstress and strain is derived in explicit closed forms either of a differential equation ofasecond-order or of an integral equation. The employed of explicit relations fornumericalestimations of tensors describing the local and nonlocal effective elastic properties aswell asaverage stresses in the composites containing simple cubic lattices of rigid inclusions andvoids areconsidered.     

Prediction of the effective elastic properties of spheroplastics by the generalized self-consistent method

The problem of predicting the effective elastic properties of composites with prescribed random location and radius variation in spherical inclusions is solved using the generalized self-consistent method. The problem is reduced to the solution of the averaged boundary-value problem of the theory of elasticity for a single inclusion with an inhomogeneous transition layer in a medium with desired effective elastic properties. A numerical analysis of the effective properties of a composite with rigid spherical inclusions and a composite with spherical pores is carried out. The results are compared with the known solution for the periodic structure and with the solutions obtained by the standard self-consistent methods. Perm’ State Technical University, Perm’ 614600. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 186–190, May–June, 1999.     

Effective elastic properties of doubly periodic array of inclusions of various shapes by the boundary element method

A rectangular cell of known boundary conditions is cut out from a medium containing the doubly periodic array of inclusions. The stress and strain relationship of the rectangular cell is obtained by using the classical boundary element methods. By matching the boundary condition requirements, the effective elastic properties of the doubly periodic array of inclusions can then be calculated. Numerical examples from the sub-domain boundary element method and the single domain boundary element method are compared and discussed. However, the present method cannot be readily extended to domains having circular or curved boundary parts.     

Effective thermoelastic properties of discrete-fiber reinforced materials with transversally-isotropic components

In the present paper, we will illustrate the application of the method of conditional moments by constructing the algorithm for determination of the effective elastic properties of composites from the given elastic constants of the components and geometrical parameters of inclusions. A special case of two-component matrix composite with randomly distributed unidirectional spheroidal inclusions is considered. To this end it is assumed that the components of the composite show transversally isotropic symmetry of thermoelastic properties and that the axes of symmetry of the thermoelastic properties of the matrix and inclusions coincide with the coordinate axis x ₃. As a numerical example a composite based on carbon inclusions and epoxide matrix is investigated. The dependencies of Young’s moduli, Poisson’s ratios and shear modulus from the concentration of inclusions and for certain values which characterize the shape of inclusions are analyzed. The results are compared and discussed in context with other theoretical predictions and experimental data.      

Modeling of properties and motions of an inhomogeneous one-dimensional continuum of a complicated Cosserat-type microstructure

We consider an approach to modeling the properties of the one-dimensional Cosserat continuum [1] by using the mechanical modeling method proposed by Il’yushin in [2] and applied in [3]. In this method, elements (blocks, cells) of special form are used to develop a discrete model of the structure so that the average properties of the model reproduced the properties of the continuum under study. The rigged rod model, which is an elastic structure in the form of a thin rod with massive inclusions (pulleys) fixed by elastic hinges on its elastic line and connected by elastic belt transmissions, is taken to be the original discrete model of the Cosserat continuum. The complete system of equations describing the mechanical properties and the dynamical equilibrium of the rigged rod in arbitrary plane motions is derived. These equations are averaged in the case of a sufficiently smooth variation in the parameters of motion along the rod (the long-wave approximation). It was found that the average equations exactly coincide with the equations for the one-dimensional Cosserat medium [1] and, in some specific cases, with the classical equations of motion of an elastic rod [4–6]. We study the plane motions of the one-dimensional continuum model thus constructed. The equations characterizing the continuum properties and motions are linearized by using several assumptions that the kinematic parameters are small. We solve the problem of natural vibrations with homogeneous boundary conditions and establish that each value of the parameter distinguishing the natural vibration modes is associated with exactly two distinct vibration mode shapes (in the same mode), each of which has its own frequency value.     

Differential geometrical method in elastic composite with imperfect interfaces

I.IntroductionWhethertheinterfacesofcompositematerialsareperfectornotwillaffectitsmacromechanicaloreffectivepropertiesimportantly.Butsofar,almostallofthestudiesontheeffectivepropertiesofcompositematerialsarebasedontheassumptionthattheinterfacesareperfectl"2].Infact,thisisnotappropriateforallinterfaces[31.Thusthestudiesonmechanicalpropertyofcompositematerialswithimperfaceintert'acehavebeenconsideredrecentlyinsomeliteratures.Hashin16]hasextendedtheelasticextremumprinciplesofminimumpotentialandm…     

Prediction of the overall moduli of a cylindrical short-fiber reinforced composite

With respect to obtaining the effective elastic moduli of the composite, the present theory differs from both Eshelby's equivalent inclusion method and Hill's self-consistent one, both of which only consider the mechanical properties of the matrix and inclusions (fibers). In fact, the inclusion-inclusion interaction is more pronounced when the volume fraction of inclusions of the composite increases. Hence, in this paper the effective elastic moduli of the composite are derived by taking into account the shapes, sizes and distribution of inclusions, and the interactions between inclusions. In addition, it is more convincing to assume short-fibers as cylindrical inclusions as in the present paper than as ellipsoidal ones as in others^[7,8]. Finally, numerical results are given.     

属性与温度相关材料的广义热弹性问题有限元分析

计及材料特性与温度的相关性,基于Lord和Shulman(L-S)广义热弹性理论,建立了此类问题的有限元控制方程. 由于材料属性的温度相关性,温度控制方程具有非线性,积分变换求解方法难以采用,因而将有限元方程直接在时间域求解. 利用所建立方法研究了材料特性与温度相关、带有孔洞的无限大体在热冲击和机械冲击作用下的广义热弹性问题. 分析表明,在时间域直接求解材料属性与温度相关的广义热弹性问题是可行的,所得结果具有很高的精度,热的波动性得到充分的展现. 同时发现,热冲击载荷作用时,材料属性与温度的相关性对结构的机械响应影响显著,对温度响应影响很小;机械载荷作用时,材料参数与温度的相关性对所有响应影响都很小. 因此,研究热冲击载荷作用的机械响应时,必须考虑材料属性的温度相关性,而研究温度响应时,无论何种冲击载荷,都可以不考虑材料属性的温度相关性.      

Wave dispersion in randomly layered materials

Wave scattering in materials composed of two kinds of alternating layers with different elastic properties and randomly distributed thicknesses has been modeled. The general form of the dispersion equation is derived for the unbounded layered medium. It defines two basic macroscopic characteristics of the scattered wave: phase velocity and attenuation, which are explicit functions of wave frequency and microscopic parameters of the system: acoustic properties of the layers and stochastic characteristics of their thickness distributions. The analytical expressions are derived for three special cases: for long waves; for a periodic medium composed of layers with constant thicknesses and for random medium with uniform distribution of layer thicknesses. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the frequency dependence of the wave parameters. It was shown that the predictions of the model for long waves and for periodic medium are compatible with the results obtained in the literature.Moreover, comparison of theoretical results for frequency dependent wave parameters with numerical simulations of pulse transmission through the slab of the randomly layered medium shows good qualitative and quantitative agreement in wide frequency range.     

Transient response of a moving spherical shell in an acoustic medium

A ring-stiffened spherical shell is submerged in an acoustic medium. The shell is thin and elastic. The acoustic medium is inviscid, irrotational and compressible. The center of mass of the shell is subjected to a translational acceleration which is an arbitrary function of time. The absolute displacements of the shell are expressed in terms of the relative displacements and the displacement of the base of the shell, base being defined as the rigid ring placed at the equator. The motion of the acoustic medium is governed by the wave equation. The transient response of the shell is investigated numerically. The results are compared with the results of the in-vacuo response. The effects of the plane wave approximation and the base velocity on the transient response of the shell are studied. The numerical results show that the plane wave approximation accurately predicts the response of the shell in the acoustic medium for short times after excitation. The displacements of the shell in fluid are larger than those in vacuo. But when the base of the shell is restrained from translating, the displacements in fluid are smaller than those in vacuo. Therefore, base translation has a very significant effect on the transient response of the shells submerged in an acoustic medium.     

Parametric identification of crystals having a cubic lattice with negative Poisson’s ratios

A two-dimensional model of an anisotropic crystalline material with cubic symmetry is considered. This model consists of a square lattice of round rigid particles, each possessing two translational and one rotational degree of freedom. Differential equations that describe propagation of elastic and rotational waves in such a medium are derived. A relationship between three groups of parameters is found: second-order elastic constants, acoustic wave velocities, and microstructure parameters. Values of the microstructure parameters of the considered anisotropic material at which its Poisson’s ratios become negative are found.     

Modulus prediction and discussion of reinforced syntactic foams with coated hollow spherical inclusions

The elastic properties of syntactic foams with coated hollow spherical inclusions have been studied by means of Mori and Tanaka‘s concept of average stress in the matrix and Eshelby‘s equivalent inclusion theories. Some formulae to predict the effective modulus of this material have been derived theoretically. Based on these formulae, the influences of coating parameters such as the thickness and Poisson‘s ratio on the modulus of the syntactic foams have been discussed at the same time.     

Self-consistent methods in the problem of axial elastic shear wave propagation through fiber composites

Summary Two self-consistent schemes (effective medium method and effective field method) are applied to the problem of monochromatic elastic shear wave propagation through matrix composite materials containing cylindrical unidirected fibers. Dispersion equations of the mean wave field in such composites are derived by both methods. In the long-wave and short-wave ranges, analytical solutions of these equations are obtained and compared with each other, while numerical solutions are constructed for a wide range of frequencies. In particular, velocities and attenuation factors of the mean wave fields obtained by the two methods are compared for various volume concentrations, elastic properties and densities of inclusions in a wide range of frequencies of the incident field. The main discrepancies in the predictions made by the two methods are indicated, analyzed and discussed.     

Bounds on the overall properties of composites with ellipsoidal inclusions

A new model is put forward to bound the effective elastic moduli of composites with ellipsoidal inclusions. In the present paper, transition layer for each ellipsoidal inclusion is introduced to make the trial displacement field for the upper bound and the trial stress field for the lower bound satisfy the continuous interface conditions which are absolutely necessary for the application of variational principles. According to the principles of minimum potential energy and minimum complementary energy, the upper and lower bounds on the effective elastic moduli of composites with ellipsoidal inclusions are rigorously derived. The effects of the distribution and geometric parameters of ellipsoidal inclusions on the bounds of the effective elastic moduli are analyzed in details. The present upper and lower bounds are still finite when the bulk and shear moduli of ellipsoidal inclusions tend to infinity and zero, respectively. It should be mentioned that the present method is simple and needs not calculate the complex integrals of multi-point correlation functions. Meanwhile, the present paper provides an entirely different way to bound the effective elastic moduli of composites with ellipsoidal inclusions, which can be developed to obtain a series of bounds by taking different trial displacement and stress fields.     

Homogenization of an elastic medium reinforced by anisotropic fibersHomogénéisation d'un milieu élastique renforcé par des fibres anisotropes

We present results in this Note concerning a vector version in the framework of linearized elasticity (see A. Sili, Homogenization of an elastic medium reinforced by anisotropic fibers, in press), of our previous work in which we have studied the homogenization of a scalar nonlinear monotone problem posed on a fibered medium (see A. Sili, Homogenization of a nonlinear monotone problem in an anisotropic medium, in press). Here, we assume that parallel elastic anisotropic fibers, periodically distributed with a period of size ε in a cube $\text{Ω}$, are surrounded by a soft elastic material, the elasticity coefficients of this material being in the ratio ε² with those of the fibers. We prove that the homogenized problem is nonlocal and involves variables linked together with the anisotropy of the fibers. To cite this article: A. Sili, C. R. Mecanique 331 (2003).     

Solving the Problem of Bending of Multiply Connected Plates with Elastic Inclusions

This paper describes a method for determining the strain state of a thin anisotropic plate with elastic arbitrarily arranged elliptical inclusions. Complex potentials are used to reduce the problem to determining functions of generalized complex variables, which, in turn, comes down to an overdetermined system of linear algebraic equations, solved by singular expansions. This paper presents the results of numerical calculations that helped establish the influence of rigidity of elastic inclusions, distances between inclusions, and their geometric characteristics on the bending moments occurring in the plate. It is found that the specific properties of distribution of moments near the apexes of linear elastic inclusions, characterized by moment intensity coefficients, occur only in the case of sufficiently rigid and elastic inclusions.