FEA in elasticity of random structure composites reinforced by heterogeneities of non canonical shape

One considers linearly elastic composite media, which consist of a homogeneous matrix containing a statistically homogeneous random set of aligned homogeneous heterogeneities of non canonical shape. Effective elastic moduli as well as the first statistical moments of stresses in the phases are estimated. The explicit new representations of the effective moduli and stress concentration factors are expressed through some building block described by numerical solution for one heterogeneity inside the infinite medium subjected to homogeneous remote loading. The method uses as a background a new general integral equation proposed in Buryachenko, 2010a, Buryachenko, 2010b, which incorporates influence of stress inhomogeneity inside the inclusion on the effective field and makes it possible to reconsider basic concepts of micromechanics such as effective field hypothesis, quasi-crystalline approximation, and the hypothesis of “ellipsoidal symmetry”. The results of this reconsideration are quantitatively estimated for some modeled composite reinforced by aligned homogeneous heterogeneities of non canonical shape. Some new effects are detected that are impossible in the framework of a classical background of micromechanics.     

Iteration method in linear elasticity of random structure composites containing heterogeneities of noncanonical shape

We consider a linearly elastic composite medium, which consists of a homogeneous matrix containing a statistically inhomogeneous random set of heterogeneities of arbitrary shape. The general integral equations connecting the stress and strain fields in the point being considered with the stress and strain fields in the surrounding points are obtained for the random fields of heterogeneities. The method is based on a recently developed centering procedure where the notion of a perturbator is introduced and statistical averages are obtained without any auxiliary assumptions such as, e.g., effective field hypothesis implicitly exploited in the known centering methods. Effective elastic moduli and the first statistical moments of stresses in the heterogeneities are estimated for statistically homogeneous composites with the general case of both the shape and inhomogeneity of the heterogeneities moduli. The explicit new representations of the effective moduli and stress concentration factors are built by the iteration method in the framework of the quasicristallite approximation but without basic hypotheses of classical micromechanics such as both the EFH and “ellipsoidal symmetry” assumption. Numerical results are obtained for some model statistically homogeneous composites reinforced by aligned identical homogeneous heterogeneities of noncanonical shape. Some new effects are detected that are impossible in the framework of a classical background of micromechanics.     

Inhomogeneity of the first and second statistical moments of stresses inside the heterogeneities of random structure matrix composites

In this paper linearly thermoelastic composite media are treated, which consist of a homogeneous matrix containing a statistically homogeneous random set of heterogeneities. Effective properties (such as compliance, thermal expansion, stored energy) as well as the first statistical moments of stresses in the phases are estimated for the general case of nonhomogeneity of the thermoelastic inclusion properties. The micromechanical approach is based on the generalization of the “multiparticle effective field” method (MEFM, see for references Buryachenko, Appl. Mech. Rev. (2001), 54, 1–47), previously proposed for the estimation of stress field averages in the phases. The method exploits as a background the new general integral equation proposed by the author before and makes it possible to abandon the use of the central concept of classical micromechanics such as effective field hypothesis as well as their satellite hypothesis of “ellipsoidal symmetry”. The implicit recursion representations of the effective thermoelastic properties and stress concentration factor are expressed through some building blocks described by numerical solutions for both the one and two inclusions inside the infinite medium subjected to the inhomogeneous effective fields evaluated from subsequent self-consistent estimations. One also estimates the inhomogeneous statistical moments of local stress fields which are extremely useful for understanding the evolution of nonlinear phenomena such as plasticity, creep, and damage. Just at some additional assumptions (such as an effective field hypothesis) the involved tensors can be expressed through the Green function, Eshelby tensor and external Eshelby tensor. These estimated inhomogeneities of effective fields lead to the detection of fundamentally new effects for the local stresses inside the heterogeneities.     

General integral equations of thermoelasticity in micromechanics of composites with imperfectly bonded interfaces

One considers a linear thermoelastic composite medium, which consists of a homogeneous matrix containing a statistically inhomogeneous random set of heterogeneities with various interface effects and subjected to essentially inhomogeneous loading by the fields of the stresses, temperature, and body forces (e.g., for a centrifugal load). The general integral equations connecting the stress and strain fields in the point being considered and the surrounding points are obtained for the random and deterministic fields of inclusions. The method is based on a centering procedure of subtraction from both sides of a new initial integral equation their statistical averages obtained without any auxiliary assumptions such as the effective field hypothesis (EFH), which is implicitly exploited in the known centering methods. The new initial integral equation is presented in a general form of perturbations introduced by the heterogeneities and taking into account both the spring-layer model and coherent imperfect one. Some particular cases, asymptotic representations, and simplifications of proposed equations as well as a model example demonstrating the essence of two-step statistical average scheme are considered. General integral equations for the doubly and triply periodical structure composites are also obtained.     

Eshelby's problem of non-elliptical inclusions

The Eshelby problem consists in determining the strain field of an infinite linearly elastic homogeneous medium due to a uniform eigenstrain prescribed over a subdomain, called inclusion, of the medium. The salient feature of Eshelby's solution for an ellipsoidal inclusion is that the strain tensor field inside the latter is uniform. This uniformity has the important consequence that the solution to the fundamental problem of determination of the strain field in an infinite linearly elastic homogeneous medium containing an embedded ellipsoidal inhomogeneity and subjected to remote uniform loading can be readily deduced from Eshelby's solution for an ellipsoidal inclusion upon imposing appropriate uniform eigenstrains. Based on this result, most of the existing micromechanics schemes dedicated to estimating the effective properties of inhomogeneous materials have been nevertheless applied to a number of materials of practical interest where inhomogeneities are in reality non-ellipsoidal. Aiming to examine the validity of the ellipsoidal approximation of inhomogeneities underlying various micromechanics schemes, we first derive a new boundary integral expression for calculating Eshelby's tensor field (ETF) in the context of two-dimensional isotropic elasticity. The simple and compact structure of the new boundary integral expression leads us to obtain the explicit expressions of ETF and its average for a wide variety of non-elliptical inclusions including arbitrary polygonal ones and those characterized by the finite Laurent series. In light of these new analytical results, we show that: (i) the elliptical approximation to the average of ETF is valid for a convex non-elliptical inclusion but becomes inacceptable for a non-convex non-elliptical inclusion; (ii) in general, the Eshelby tensor field inside a non-elliptical inclusion is quite non-uniform and cannot be replaced by its average; (iii) the substitution of the generalized Eshelby tensor involved in various micromechanics schemes by the average Eshelby tensor for non-elliptical inhomogeneities is in general inadmissible.     

On thermoelastostatics of composites with nonlocal properties of constituents I. General representations for effective material and field parameters

A theory of thermoelastic composites with nonlocal properties of constituents is analyzed for multiphase elastic solids of arbitrary geometry and material symmetry. Due to their generality, one uses the nonlocal integral models because the gradient models are usually derived as approximations of corresponding integral models in the immediate (infinitely closed) vicinity of the point being considered. One explores a simplified theory for linear (macroscopically) elasticity, which differs from the classical local theory in the stress–strain constitutive relation only, whereas the equilibrium and compatibility equations remain unaltered. One obtains the new representation of the effective modulus and compliance through the mechanical influence function which does not explicitly depend (as opposed to its local counterpart) on the elastic operators of constituents. The representations for the effective eigenstrains and eigenstresses through either the mechanical influence functions or transformation influence functions are presented. The effective strain energy and potential energy are expressed in terms of only average values of the state variables and the effective properties. Representations of both the first and second statistical moments of stress and strain fields in the constituents are also performed. Many of the results were obtained as the straightforward generalizations of their local counterparts because the methods used for obtaining the mentioned results widely exploit the Hill’s (1963) condition which holds for any compatible strain field and equilibrium stress field not necessarily related to each other by a specific stress–strain relation.     

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.     

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.     

基于等效特征应变原理的复合材料有效模量细观力学分析

基于等效特征应变原理,提出了一种新的复合材料有效模量细观力学分析方法。首先,在等效特征应变原理基础上提出平均等效特征应变原理,它可用于解决有限体下任意形状(无论是凸或凹形)的单个夹杂或多个夹杂的弹性变形问题。其次,将平均等效特征应变原理与细观力学直接均匀法相结合,来分析确定复合材料的有效模量。最后利用复合材料纤维与基体的力学性能参数及纤维的体分比,借助MATLAB编程方法,预测其有效模量。通过将理论预测值与已有的的试验值、其它理论预测值进行对比,验证了新分析方法的合理性和分析精度。     

Static and dynamic behaviour of nonlocal elastic bar using integral strain-based and peridynamic models

The static and dynamic behaviour of a nonlocal bar of finite length is studied in this paper. The nonlocal integral models considered in this paper are strain-based and relative displacement-based nonlocal models; the latter one is also labelled as a peridynamic model. For infinite media, and for sufficiently smooth displacement fields, both integral nonlocal models can be equivalent, assuming some kernel correspondence rules. For infinite media (or finite media with extended reflection rules), it is also shown that Eringen's differential model can be reformulated into a consistent strain-based integral nonlocal model with exponential kernel, or into a relative displacement-based integral nonlocal model with a modified exponential kernel. A finite bar in uniform tension is considered as a paradigmatic static case. The strain-based nonlocal behaviour of this bar in tension is analyzed for different kernels available in the literature. It is shown that the kernel has to fulfil some normalization and end compatibility conditions in order to preserve the uniform strain field associated with this homogeneous stress state. Such a kernel can be built by combining a local and a nonlocal strain measure with compatible boundary conditions, or by extending the domain outside its finite size while preserving some kinematic compatibility conditions. The same results are shown for the nonlocal peridynamic bar where a homogeneous strain field is also analytically obtained in the elastic bar for consistent compatible kinematic boundary conditions at the vicinity of the end conditions. The results are extended to the vibration of a fixed–fixed finite bar where the natural frequencies are calculated for both the strain-based and the peridynamic models.     

Effective elastic moduli of composites reinforced by particle or fiber with an inhomogeneous interphase

The solution of the strain energy change of an infinite matrix due to the presence of one spherical particle or cylindrical fiber surrounded by an inhomogeneous interphase is the basis of solving effective elastic moduli of corresponding composites based on various micromechanics models. In order to find out the strain energy change, the composite sphere or cylinder, i.e., the spherical particle or cylindrical fiber together with its interphase, is replaced by an effective homogeneous particle or fiber. Independent governing differential equations for each modulus of the effective particle or fiber are derived by extending the replacement method [J. Mech. Phys. Solids 12 (1964) 199]. As far as the strain energy changes of the infinite matrix subjected to various far-field stress systems are concerned, the present model is simple. Meanwhile, FEM analysis is carried out for a verification, which shows that the model can lead to rather accurate results for most practical interphases. Besides, to check the validity of the model further when the interactions among composite cylinders exist, the two problems of an infinite matrix containing two composite cylinders and the effective moduli of composites with the equilateral triangular distribution of composite cylinders are analyzed using FEM. The FEM results show that the model is still rather accurate, especially for the case of interphase properties varying between those of fiber and matrix. Therefore, composite spheres or cylinders are assumed as the effective homogeneous particles or fibers and simple expressions of the effective moduli of composites containing the composite spheres or cylinders are obtained. Furthermore, the present model is compared with some existing models that are based on very complicated derivations.     

Two exact micromechanics-based nonlocal constitutive equations for random linear elastic composite materials

A Hashin-Shtrikman-Willis variational principle is employed to derive two exact micromechanics-based nonlocal constitutive equations relating ensemble averages of stress and strain for two-phase, and also many types of multi-phase, random linear elastic composite materials. By exact is meant that the constitutive equations employ the complete spatially-varying ensemble-average strain field, not gradient approximations to it as were employed in the previous, related work of Drugan and Willis (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 44 (1996) 497) and Drugan (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 48 (2000) 1359) (and in other, more phenomenological works). Thus, the nonlocal constitutive equations obtained here are valid for arbitrary ensemble-average strain fields, not restricted to slowly-varying ones as is the case for gradient-approximate nonlocal constitutive equations. One approach presented shows how to solve the integral equations arising from the variational principle directly and exactly, for a special, physically reasonable choice of the homogeneous comparison material. The resulting nonlocal constitutive equation is applicable to composites of arbitrary anisotropy, and arbitrary phase contrast and volume fraction. One exact nonlocal constitutive equation derived using this approach is valid for two-phase composites having any statistically uniform distribution of phases, accounting for up through two-point statistics and arbitrary phase shape. It is also shown that the same approach can be used to derive exact nonlocal constitutive equations for a large class of composites comprised of more than two phases, still permitting arbitrary elastic anisotropy. The second approach presented employs three-dimensional Fourier transforms, resulting in a nonlocal constitutive equation valid for arbitrary choices of the comparison modulus for isotropic composites. This approach is based on use of the general representation of an isotropic fourth-rank tensor function of a vector variable, and its inverse. The exact nonlocal constitutive equations derived from these two approaches are applied to some example cases, directly rationalizing some recently-obtained numerical simulation results and assessing the accuracy of previous results based on gradient-approximate nonlocal constitutive equations.     

增强相形态对复合材料微区力学状态影响的有限元分析

采用三维有限元方法模拟了非连续增强金属基复合材料的应力场，得到了不同长径比的椭球形增强体周围的最大主应力场和应力球张量场的分布，分析了增强体长径比对非连续增强金属基复合材料的应力场、应力集中、界面应力过渡及材料内部最危险位置的影响。与仅适用于稀疏夹杂的Eshelby单夹杂模型相比，本文模型(体积分数约为20％—60％)与工程实际更加接近，所得的椭球状增强体内部应力分布并不均匀的计算结果与Eshelby的经典解析解有所不同。     

陶瓷颗粒增强金属基复合材料的细观强度分析

陶瓷颗粒增强金属基复合材料的失效主要有界面脱粘、增强粒子开裂等新的细观结构损伤机制。为了减小这些不足并对细观失效过程有一个清晰的了解,近来人们对金属基复合材料进行了大量研究,在此基础上,本文用细观力学的方法和损伤模型研究了陶瓷颗粒增强金属基复合材料的强度和损伤失效。为了计算方便,陶瓷颗粒简化为在复合材料中随机分布的椭球形粒子,然后以二相胞元模型计算分析了金属基体、颗粒中的应力应变分布情况,结果表明,基体中应力极不均匀,界面区存在应力集中,并计算了界面弧形裂纹扩展时的能量。最后分别提出了基体,颗粒和界面的失效强度准则,本文结果对于颗粒增强金属基复合材料具有普遍的实用性。     

The averaged mechanical properties of prismatic lattice formed by ellipsoidal inclusions

Summary The objective of this paper is to evaluate the averaged elastic properties of 3-D grained composites in which identical inclusions form a prismatic network interacting with the matrix material. The inclusions are of ellipsoidal shape with transverse circular sections located at the nodes of a doubly-periodic lattice with an orthogonal elementary cell. When the arrays of inclusions are set at equal spacings in normal directions through the thickness of the matrix, the material formed is an anisotropic composite with tetragonal symmetry at planes transverse to the fiber axis. The longitudinal and transverse elastic and shear moduli as well as the longitudinal Poisson's ratios of such composites are evaluated in this paper. The averaged properties are studied in terms of the aspect ratio and volume fraction of the inclusions as well as the relative rigidity of the constituent phases. Employing the Eshelby's theory for the stress field around a single ellipsoidal inhomogeneity, which is surrounded by the effective anisotropic material, and considering the Mori-Tanaka's concept for the mutual interaction of the neighboring inclusions, we may evaluate the averaged elastic properties of grained composites with aligned ellipsoidal inclusions at finite concentrations. The results provided in a closed-form solution concern the stiffness of 3-D grained composites with parallely dispersed ellipsoidal inclusions forming a prismatic network inside the principal material. It is shown that the stiffness is affected by both the geometry of the inclusions and their concentration. The use of different composite models in the analysis shows that intense variations of stiffness occur mainly in hard composites weakened by soft ellipsoidal inclusions. These findings come in full verification with experimental or theoretical results from the literature. Received 10 February 1998; accepted for publication 27 November 1998     

Local effective thermoelastic properties of graded random structure matrix composites

Summary  We consider a linearly thermoelastic composite medium, which consists of a homogeneous matrix containing a statistically inhomogeneous random set of ellipsoidal uncoated or coated inclusions, where the concentration of the inclusions is a function of the coordinates (functionally graded material). Effective properties, such as compliance and thermal expansion coefficient, as well as first statistical moments of stresses in the components are estimated for the general case of inhomogeneity of the thermoelastic inclusion properties. The micromechanical approach is based on the Green function technique as well as on the generalization of the multiparticle effective field method (MEFM), previously proposed for the research of statistically homogeneous random structure composites. The hypothesis of effective field homogeneity near the inclusions is used; nonlocal effects of overall constitutive relations are not considered. Nonlocal dependences of local effective thermoelastic properties as well as those of conditional averages of the stresses in the components on the concentration of the inclusions are demonstrated. Received 11 November 1999; accepted for publication 4 May 2000     

Electromechanical response of (3–0, 3–1) particulate,fibrous, and porous piezoelectric composites with anisotropic constituents: A model based on the homogenization method

An analytical framework based on the homogenization method has been developed to predict the effective electromechanical properties of periodic, particulate and porous, piezoelectric composites with anisotropic constituents. Expressions are provided for the effective moduli tensors of n-phase composites based on the respective strain and electric field concentration tensors. By taking into account the shape and distribution of the inclusion and by invoking a simple numerical procedure, solutions for the electromechanical properties of a general anisotropic inclusion in an anisotropic matrix are obtained. While analytical forms are provided for predicting the electroelastic moduli of composites with spherical and cylindrical inclusions, numerical evaluation of integrals over the composite microstructure is required in order to obtain the corresponding expressions for a general ellipsoidal particle in a piezoelectric matrix. The electroelastic moduli of piezoelectric composites predicted by the analytical model developed in the present study demonstrate excellent agreement with results obtained from three-dimensional finite-element models for several piezoelectric systems that exhibit varying degrees of elastic anisotropy.     

Role of discrete intra-granular slip bands on the strain-hardening of polycrystals

This work investigates a new micromechanical modeling of polycrystal plasticity, accounting slip bands for physical plastic heterogeneities considered as periodically distributed within grains. These intra-granular plastic heterogeneities are modeled by parallel flat ellipsoidal sub-domains, each of them may have a distinct uniform plastic slip. To capture the morphology of slip bands occurring in plastically deforming polycrystals, these interacting sub-domains are considered as oblate spheroids periodically distributed and constrained by spherical grain boundaries. In this paper, we focus the study on the influences of internal length scale parameters related to grain size, spatial period and thickness of slip bands on the overall material’s behavior. In a first part, the Gibbs free energy accounting for elastic interactions between plastic heterogeneities is calculated thanks to the Green function’s method in the case of an isolated spherical grain with plastic strain occurring only in slip bands embedded in an infinite elastic matrix. In a second part, the influence of discrete periodic distributions of intra-granular slip bands on the polycrystal’s behavior is investigated considering an aggregate with random crystallographic orientations. When the spatial period of slip bands is on the same order as the grain radius, the polycrystal’s mechanical behavior is found strongly dependent on the ratio between the spatial period of slip bands and the grain size, as well as the ratio between the slip band thickness and the grain size, which cannot be captured by classic length scale independent Eshelby-based micromechanics.     

Effective elastic moduli of triply periodic particulate matrix composites with imperfect unit cells

In many problems the material may possess a periodic microstructure formed by the spatial repetition of small microstructures, or unit cells. Such a perfectly regular distribution, of course, does not exist in actual cases, although the periodic modeling can be quite useful, since it provides rigorous estimations with a priori prescribed accuracy for various material properties. Triply periodic particulate matrix composites with imperfect unit cells are analyzed in this paper. The multiparticle effective field method (MEFM) is used for the analysis of the perfect and imperfect periodic structure composites. The MEFM is originally based on the homogeneity hypothesis (H1) (see for details [Buryachenko, V.A., 2001. Multiparticle effective field and related methods in micromechanics of composite materials. Appl. Mech. Rev. 54, 1–47]) of effective field acting on the inclusions. In this way the pair interaction of different inclusions is taken directly into account by the use of analytical approximate solution. For perfect periodic structures the hypothesis (H1) is enough for estimation of effective properties. Imperfection of packing necessitates exploring some additional assumption called a closing hypothesis. The next imperfections are analyzed. (A) The probability of location of an inclusion in the center of a unit cell below one (missing inclusion). (B) Some hard inclusions are randomly replaced by the porous (modeling the complete debonding) with some probability. At first, one obtains general explicit integral representations of the effective elastic moduli and strain concentrator factors depending on three numerical solutions: for the perfect periodic structure, for the infinite periodic structure with one imperfection, and for the infinite periodic structure with two arbitrary located imperfections. The method proposed is general; it is not limited by concrete numerical scheme. No restrictions were assumed on both the concrete microstructure and inhomogeneity of stress fields in the inclusions. The inclusions of one kind are assumed to be aligned. The problem (A) is solved at the level of numerical results obtained in the framework of the hypothesis (H1). For the problem (B) the numerical results are obtained if the elastic inclusions (for example hard inclusions) are randomly replaced by another inclusion (for example by the voids modeling the complete debonding). The mentioned problems are solved by three methods. The first one is a Monte Carlo simulation exploring an analytical approximate solution for the binary interacting inclusions obtained in the framework of the hypothesis (H1). The second one is a generalization of the version of the MEFM proposed for the analysis of the perfect periodic particulate composites and based on the choice of a comparison medium coinciding with the matrix. The third method uses a decomposition of the desired solution on the solution for the perfect periodic structure and on the perturbation produced by the imperfections in the perfect periodic structure. All three methods lead to close results in the considered examples; however, the CPU times expended for the solution estimation by Monte Carlo simulation differ by a factor of 1000.