Structural elastic and creep models of a UD composite in longitudinal shear

The transient creep of a UD composite with a quadratic arrangement of elastic fibers of quadratic cross section is investigated. The deformational properties of the composite are determined from the known properties of its constituents. A structural model of the UD composite is developed, whose minimal elementary cell contains four elements. The stress-strain state of the elements is assumed homogeneous. Two types of basic and resolving governing equations of transient creep are deduced, which are based on static or kinematic assumptions. In each of the cases, a formula for the longitudinal elastic shear modulus of the composite is found. The stationary solutions of creep equations allow one to obtain formulas of the steady-state creep of the composite in a form similar to Norton’s law. Numerical calculations are also performed, and a comparison of the results with data given in the literature bears witness to the efficiency of the models developed and the solutions obtained. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 4, pp. 437–448, July–August, 2007.     

Numerical simulation of the rheological properties of granular composites by using a structural approach

Composites with an elastomeric matrix containing rigid particles of diameter 10–1000 μm are studied. One of possible mechanisms of the rheological behavior of such filled systems, related to the origination and growth of vacuoles near the rigid inclusions in a viscous matrix, is considered. For simulating the mechanism of formation of rheological properties of the filled elastomers, we use a structural cell in the form of an elastomeric cylinder, whose height and diameter are equal in magnitude, with a rigid spherical inclusion at its center. Deformation of the cells is examined with the observance of boundary conditions providing the preservation of their close packing. The inclusion is assumed to be rigid, and the matrix properties are described by equations of the linear hereditary viscoelasticity theory. The formation of vacuoles is described by using the approach suggesting that an initial debonding begins to propagate when the energy accumulated in the extended matrix reaches a value sufficient to create a new interface. The heterogeneity of the composite is simulated by taking into account the variability of the local filler concentration. Creep curves obtained for composite cells with different content of the solid phase are presented. Comparisons between the numerical and experimental results show a satisfactory agreement. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 6, pp. 895–906, November–December, 2008.     

Local near-surface buckling of a system consisting of an elastic (viscoelastic) substrate,a viscoelastic (elastic) bond layer,and an elastic (viscoelastic) covering layer

Within the framework of a piecewise homogenous body model and with the use of a three-dimensional linearized theory of stability (TLTS), the local near-surface buckling of a material system consisting of a viscoelastic (elastic) half-plane, an elastic (viscoelastic) bond layer, and a viscoelastic (elastic) covering layer is investigated. A plane-strain state is considered, and it is assumed that the near-surface buckling instability is caused by the evolution of a local initial curving (imperfection) of the elastic layer with time or with an external compressive force at fixed instants of time. The equations of TLTS are obtained from the three-dimensional geometrically nonlinear equations of the theory of viscoelasticity by using the boundary-form perturbation technique. A method for solving the problems considered by employing the Laplace and Fourier transformations is developed. It is supposed that the aforementioned elastic layer has an insignificant initial local imperfection, and the stability is lost if this imperfection starts to grow infinitely. Numerical results on the critical compressive force and the critical time are presented. The influence of rheological parameters of the viscoelastic materials on the critical time is investigated. The viscoelasticity of the materials is described by the Rabotnov fractional-exponential operator. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 6, pp. 771–788, November–December, 2007.     

Near-surface buckling in stability of a system consisting of a moderately rigid substrate, a viscoelastic bond layer, and an elastic covering layer

Within the frame work of the three-dimensional linearized theory of stability of deformable bodies (TLTSDB), the near-surface buckling instability of a system consisting of a half-plane (substrate), a viscoelastic bond layer, and an elastic covering layer is suggested. The equations of the TLTSDB are obtained from the three-dimensional geometrically non linear equations of viscoelasticity theory by using the boundary-form perturbation technique. By employing the Laplace transform, a method for solving the problem is developed. It is supposed that the covering layer has an insignificant initial imperfection. The stability of the system is considered lost if the imperfection starts to increase and grows indefinitely. Numerical results for the critical compressive force and the critical time are presented. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 517–530, July–August, 2006.     

An exact stiffness theory for unidirectional xFRP composites

UD xFRP composites, i.e., isotropic plastics reinforced with long transversely isotropic fibres packed unidirectionally according to the hexagonal scheme are considered. The constituent materials are geometrically and physically linear. The previous formulations of the exact stiffness theory of such composites are revised, and the theory is developed further based on selected boundary-value problems of elasticity theory. The numerical examples presented are focussed on testing the theory with account of previous variants of this theory and experimental values of the effective elastic constants. The authors have pointed out that the exact stiffness theory of UD xFRP composites, with the modifications proposed in our study, will be useful in the engineering practice and in solving the current problems of the mechanics of composite materials. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 109–144, January–February, 2009.     

One of the simplest means of accounting for nonlinearity in viscoelastic media

The author examines a simple extension, to the nonlinear case, of memory-type theory based on the Boltzmann-Volterra superposition principle. It is shown that given certain assumptions the quasi-linear theory of viscoelasticity reduces to introduction into the equations of linear memory theory of a single stress- or strain-intensity function. This function is determined from creep or relaxation tests. A successive-approximation method is presented for solving problems of nonlinear viscoelasticity with the aid of the equations introduced. It is shown that in the case of simple loading the equations of the theory of small elastic-plastic deformations are an analog of the equations considered.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 207–212, 1967     

A variational principle in a geometrically nonlinear theory of heterogeneous viscoelastic shells

The use of the hereditary theory for shells heterogeneous across their thickness is considered. A variational method is formulated for calculating thin anisotropic shells made of a material whose deformation behavior can be described by relations of the linear theory of viscoelasticity. In order to transform the corresponding functional into a form suitable for shells, some assumptions related to concepts of the theory of thin shells are introduced. In the capacity of Euler equations, physical relations, nonlinear equilibrium equations, and nonlinear boundary conditions are derived. The state equations are deduced for a multilayered shell. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 231–240, March–April, 2009.     

Constitutive Modelling of Resins in the Compliance Domain

A rheological HWKK/H model for resins is developed taking into consideration the up-to-date analyses of experimental results. Constitutive compliance equations of linear are formulated for this model in the shear/bulk form, which describes, among other things, the first-rank reversible isothermal creep. The shear (distorsional) deformations are simulated with three independent stress history functions of fractional and normal exponential types. The volume deformations are simulated as perfectly elastic. The model is described by two elastic and six viscoelastic constants, namely three long-term creep coefficients and three retardation times.The constitutive compliance equations of viscoealsticity for resins are also formulated in the coupled form. Formulae for converting the constants of shear/bulk (uncoupled) viscoelasticity into the constants of coupled viscoelasticity are given too.An algorithm for identifying the material constants, based on the creep of uniaxially tensioned bar samples, is formulated in a way that gives unique results. The material constants are fiund for Epidian 53 epoxy and Polimal 109 polyester resins. The creep processes, simulated based on the experimental data, are presented graphically for both the resins examined.     

Polydisperse structures of composites with random elastic properties of inclusions

A generalized self-consistent method [1, 2] is developed and applied to the boundary-value problems of composites with random elastic properties of inclusions. The approach suggested makes it possible to allow for a random mutual arrangement, statistical dispersion of elastic properties and sizes of the inclusions, and their mutual correlation in terms of special homogenized indicator functions. For comparison, the analytical solutions and those obtained from a corresponding sequence of H+1 (H=0,1,…) linked homogenized problems of the self-consistent method for the strain distribution in the inclusions and for the tensor of effective elastic properties of the composite are given. A numerical calculation of the effective transversely isotropic elastic characteristics for a unidirectional polydisperse fibrous composite is also presented. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 33–58, January–February, 2000.     

Viscoelastic properties of a silica-filled styrene-butadiene rubber under uniaxial tension

A model composite — a silica-filled styrene-butadiene rubber with a various filler volume content — was tested for creep and creep recovery at different tensile load levels to evaluate the effect of viscoelasticity on the deformational properties of filled rubbers. A constitutive equation describing the diagram of equilibrium deformation of the composite in quasi-static loading was obtained from an analysis of creep test results. The equation was common for the filled rubber at different filler content. The existence of such a curve has been confirmed by experimental unloading diagrams registered in cyclic loading-unloading tests. It is shown that the phenomenological equations obtained from an analysis of creep recovery test results can be used successfully for describing the hysteresis loops of second and subsequent cycles for cyclic tests with a constant maximum stretch ratio.     

Two-dimensional stressed state of an anisotropic body with holes, elastic inclusions, and cracks

Generadized complex potentials are used to solve a problem for the elastic stressed state of a body with a general rectilinear anisotropy in a two-dimensional stressed-deformed state. The body has longitudinal cavities, inclusions, planar cracks, or rigid lamellar inclusions. A least-squares methods is used to reduce the problem to a system of linear algebraic equations which is solved for the unknown constants in the complex potentials. Donetsk State University. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Prikladnaya Mekhanika, No. 29, pp. 63–70, 1999.     

Stressed state of an anisotropic body with elliptical holes, elastic inclusions, and cracks

A method is proposed for studying the two-dimensional stressed state of a multiply connected anisotropic body with cavities and elastic and rigid inclusions, as well as planar cracks and rigid laminar inclusions. Generalized complex potentials, conformal mapping, and the method of least squares are used. The problem is reduced to solving a system of linear algebraic equations. Formulas are given for finding the stress intensity factors in the case of cracks and laminar inclusions. For an anisotropic plate with a single elliptical hole or a crack and an elastic (rigid) inclusion, some numerical results are presented from a study of the effect of the rigidity of the inclusion and the closeness of the contours to one another on the distribution of stresses and the stress intensity factor. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Prikladnaya Mekhanika, No. 30, pp. 175–187, 1999.     

Effect of random irregularities of the creep of reinforced layered plastics

The authors investigate the creep of inhomogeneous materials consisting of a large number of stiff orthotropic elastic layers alternating with layers of linear isotropic viscoelastic material. The elastic layers are assumed to be almost plane; the functions describing the irregularities (curvature) form a random field. The averaged characteristics of the medium are found together with the variation of the averaged displacements and strains in time. An analogous problem was previously considered in [1, 6] on the assumption that the binder layers are elastic. The present paper is based on the equations of [1] and the elastic-viscoelastic correspondence principle [4]. When the correlation scales of the irregularities are small as compared with the dimensions of the body and the characteristic distances over which the averaged parameters of the stress-strain state vary appreciably is considered in detail. A relation is established between the creep functions for simple cases of the state of stress and the parameters characterizing the properties of the components, the properties of the random field of initial irregularities, etc. The development of perturbations with different wave numbers is investigated. The theory is used to describe the creep of reinforced layered plastics.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 2, No. 5, pp. 755–762, 1966     

The stressed state in an infinite medium having a system of rectilinear thin elastic inclusions with cyclic symmetry

Using the machinery of complex variable theory we study the stressed state in an unbouned medium of cyclically located thin elastic inclusions of finite length. The problem is reduced to solving a system of two singular integro-differential equations. A numerical analysis is carried out for the stress intensity factors in the vicinity of the ends of the inclusions. Translated fromMatematichni Metodi ta Fiziko-Mekhanichni Polya, Vol. 40, No. 2, 1997, pp. 87–90.     

Thermal stresses in a granular composite of regular structure

The problem is considered of thermal stresses in a composite material which is an elastic isotropic matrix with uniform spherical inclusions placed regularly within it. A solution is presented in the form of series for a system of double-periodic solutions of the equilibrium equation built up in a special way. An infinite set of linear algebraic equations of the normal type is obtained from the boundary conditions. Numerical studies are carried out for the stress distribution at the matrix-grain contact surface, and their nature in relation to the volume content of dispersed phase and geometric structure parameters of the composite is determined.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Prikladnaya Mekhanika, No. 19, pp. 90–93, 1988.     

Properties of a composite prepared using a concentrate of carbon nanotubes in polyethylene

Results of an investigation into the properties of polyethylene (PE) with small, no more than 5 wt.%, additions of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are reported. Specimens of the composite were prepared using a concentrate containing 31.6 wt.% of nanotubes in the polyethylene matrix. The concentrate was fabricated by a patent in situ polymerization method. Experimental data on the influence of CNT additions on the thermograms of differential scanning calorimetry, the crystallinity of the polyethylene matrix, and the indices of mechanical properties (yield stress, strength, elastic modulus, ultimate elongation, and long-term creep) of PE/CNT composite are obtained. A theoretical analysis of elastic properties of the PE/CNT composite was carried out by using the Mori–Tanaka theory of an equivalent medium. The calculation results are compared with experimental data.     

Creep of orthogonally reinforced spherofibrous composites

Models of composites with three-dimensional structure, a proposed problem solving method, and Rabotnov's creep operators were used assuming purely elastic deformation of the composite along the orientation of the fibers to determine the viscoelastic properties of composites on inclined surfaces in a three-dimensional stressed state. The formulas used in viscoelasticity theory in the elastic region of component deformation lead to results in satisfactory accord with the reported experimental elastic properties of composites with three-dimensional structure.A. A. Blagonravov Mechanical Engineering Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 32, No. 6, pp. 780–786, November–December, 1996.     

Calculation of deformative and thermal properties of multiphase composite materials filled with composite or hollow spherical inclusions by the effective medium method

A theoretical investigation was carried out to examine the possibilities of a structural approach to prediction of elastic constants, creep functions, and thermal properties of multiphase polymer composite materials filled with composite or hollow spherical Inclusions of several types. The problem of determining effective properties of the composite was solved by generalizing the effective medium method, a variant of the self-consistent method, for the case of a four-phase kernel-shell-matrix-equivalent homogeneous medium model. Exact analytical expressions for the bulk modulus thermal expansion coefficient, thermal conductivity coefficient, and specific heat were obtained. The solution for the shear modulus is given in the form of a nonlinear equation whose coefficients are the solution of a system of 12 linear equations.To be presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials, Riga, October 1995.Published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 462–472, July–August, 1995.     

Effect of anisometry of a platelike nanofiller on the elastic constants of a transversely isotropic composite

Analysis results for the elastic properties of a composite with a small amount of coplanarly arranged platelike filler particles are presented. The geometrical form of the particles is described by an oblate ellipsoid of revolution. The calculations are performed by formulas obtained by using the Eshelby approach for media with a low concentration of inclusions. The effect of anisometry of the ellipsoidal particles and of the ratio between the elastic moduli of the filler and matrix on the effective elastic constants of the composite is discussed. Calculation results are compared with experimental data for the elastic moduli of a nanocomposite containing completely exfoliated particles of an unmodified montmorillonite. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 493–504, July–August, 2008.