An energy-based damage model of geomaterials—I. Formulation and numerical results

In this paper, an anisotropic damage model is established in strain space to describe the behaviour of geomaterials under compression-dominated stress fields. The research work focuses on rate-independent and small-deformation behaviour during isothermal processes. It is emphasized that the damage variables should be defined microstructurally rather than phenomenologically for geomaterials, and a second-order fabric tensor is chosen as the damage variable. Starting from it, a one-parameter damage-dependent elasticity tensor is deduced based on tensorial algebra and thermodynamic requirements ; a fourth-order damage characteristic tensor, which determines anisotropic damaging, is deduced within the framework of Rice, 1971 normality structure in Part II of this paper. An equivalent state is developed to exclude the macroscopic stress⧹strain explicitly from the relevant constitutive equations. Finally, some numerical results are worked out to illustrate the mechanical behaviour of this model.     

An implicit algorithm for hypoelasto-plastic and hypoelasto-viscoplastic endochronic theory in finite strain isotropic–kinematic-hardening model

This paper is concerned with objective stress update algorithm for elasto-plastic and elasto-viscoplastic endochronic theory within the framework of additive plasticity. The elastic response is stated in terms of hypoelastic model and endochronic constitutive equations are stated in unrotated frame of reference. A trivially incrementally objective integration scheme for rate constitutive equations is established. Algorithmic modulus consistent with numerical integration algorithm of constitutive equations is extracted. The implementation is validated by means of a set of simple deformation paths (simple shear, extension and rotation), two benchmark test in nonlinear mechanics (the necking of a circular bar and expansion of a thick-walled cylinder), a test which demonstrates the capabilities of the proposed model in simulation of cyclic loading and ratcheting in finite strain case (cyclically loaded notched bar) and finally, the analysis of a tensile test, which presents a shear band with a finite thickness independent of the finite element mesh using endochronic viscoplastic constitutive model.     

Craft––a plastic-damage-contact model for concrete. II. Model implementation with implicit return-mapping algorithm and consistent tangent matrix

A computational strategy for the evaluation of stresses in a finite element implementation of a new plastic-damage-contact model is described. As part of this strategy a new return-mapping algorithm is developed which fully couples plasticity to directional damage on one or more damage surfaces, and which ensures that local and total constitutive relationships are simultaneously satisfied. In addition, an associated consistent tangent matrix is derived. The performance of the model, as implemented with this new strategy, is explored in a range of 2D and 3D examples which include analyses based on direct and indirect fracture tests, a mixed mode fracture test, shear-normal tests in which aggregate interlock is significant and a reinforced concrete test in which cracking, aggregate interlock and crushing all contribute significantly to the behavior. It is concluded that the consistent computational approach gives solutions with good equilibrium convergence properties. Furthermore, it is concluded that the new model, as implemented in the finite element code, is able to represent a wide range of the behavior of plain and reinforced concrete structures.     

Scale transition of a higher order plasticity model – A consistent homogenization theory from meso to macro

Standard plasticity models cannot capture the microstructural size effect associated with grain sizes, as well as structural size effects induced by external boundaries and overall gradients. Many higher-order plasticity models introduce a length scale parameter to resolve the latter limitation – microstructural influences are not explicitly account for. This paper adopts two distinct length scales in the formulation, i.e. an intrinsic length scale (l) governing micro-processes such as dislocation pile-up at internal boundaries, as well as the characteristic grain size (L), and aims to unravel the interaction between these two length scales and the characteristic specimen size (H) at the macro level. At the meso-scale, we adopt the strain gradient plasticity model developed in Gurtin (2004) [Gurtin, M.E., 2004. A gradient theory of small-deformation isotropic plasticity that accounts for the Burgers vector and for dissipation due to plastic spin. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 52, 2545–2568] which accounts for the direct influence of grain boundaries. Through a novel homogenization theory, the plasticity model is translated consistently from meso to macro. The two length scale parameters (l and L) manifest themselves naturally at the macro scale, hence capturing both types of size effects in an average sense. The resulting (macro) higher-order model is thermodynamically consistent to the meso model, and has the same structure as a micromorphic continuum. Finally, we consider a bending example for the two limiting cases – microhard and microfree conditions at grain boundaries – and illustrate the excellent match between the meso and homogenized solutions.     

A second strain gradient elasticity theory with second velocity gradient inertia – Part I: Constitutive equations and quasi-static behavior

A multi-cell homogenization procedure with four geometrically different groups of cell elements (respectively for the bulk, the boundary surface, the edge lines and the corner points of a body) is envisioned, which is able not only to extract the effective constitutive properties of a material, but also to assess the “surface effects” produced by the boundary surface on the near bulk material. Applied to an unbounded material in combination with the thermodynamics energy balance principles, this procedure leads to an equivalent continuum constitutively characterized by (ordinary, double and triple) generalized stresses and momenta. Also, applying this procedure to a (finite) body suitably modelled as a simple material cell system, in association with the principle of the virtual power (PVP) for quasi-static actions, an equivalent structural system is derived, featured by a (macro-scale) PVP having the typical format as for a second strain gradient material model. Due to the surface effects, the latter model does work as a combination of two subsystems, i.e. the bulk material behaving as a Cauchy continuum, and the boundary surface operating as a membrane-like boundary layer, each subsystem being in (local and global) equilibrium by its own. Further, the applied (ordinary) boundary traction splits into two (response-dependent) parts, i.e. the “Cauchy traction” transmitted to the bulk material and the “Gurtin–Murdoch traction” acting, together with all other boundary tractions, upon the boundary layer. The role of the boundary layer as a two-dimensional manifold enclosing a Cauchy continuum is elucidated, also with the aid of a discrete model. A strain gradient elasticity theory is proposed which includes a minimum total potential energy principle featuring the relevant boundary-value problem for quasi-static loads and its (unique) solution. A simple application is presented. Two appendices are included, one reports the proof of the global equilibrium of the boundary layer, the other is concerned with double and triple stresses. The paper is complemented by a companion Part II one on dynamics. Previous findings by the author [Polizzotto, C., 2012. A gradient elasticity theory for second-grade materials and higher order inertia. Int. J. Solids Struct. 49, 2121–2137] are improved and extended.     

A three-invariant cap model with isotropic–kinematic hardening rule and associated plasticity for granular materials

In this paper, a three-invariant cap model is developed for the isotropic–kinematic hardening and associated plasticity of granular materials. The model is based on the concepts of elasticity and plasticity theories together with an associated flow rule and a work hardening law for plastic deformations of granulars. The hardening rule is defined by its decomposition into the isotropic and kinematic material functions. The constitutive elasto-plastic matrix and its components are derived by using the definition of yield surface, material functions and non-linear elastic behavior, as function of hardening parameters. The model assessment and procedure for determination of material parameters are described. Finally, the applicability of proposed plasticity model is demonstrated in numerical simulation of several triaxial and confining pressure tests on different granular materials, including: wheat, rape, synthetic granulate and sand.     

A second strain gradient elasticity theory with second velocity gradient inertia – Part II: Dynamic behavior

This paper is the sequel of a companion Part I paper devoted to the constitutive equations and to the quasi-static behavior of a second strain gradient material model with second velocity gradient inertia. In the present Part II paper, a multi-cell homogenization procedure (developed in the Part I paper) is applied to a nonhomogeneous body modelled as a simple material cell system, in conjunction with the principle of virtual work (PVW) for inertial actions (i.e. momenta and inertia forces), which at the macro-scale level takes on the typical format as for a second velocity gradient inertia material model. The latter (macro-scale) PVW is used to determine the equilibrium equations relating the (ordinary, double and triple) generalized momenta to the inertia forces. As a consequence of the surface effects, the latter inertia forces include (ordinary) inertia body forces within the bulk material, as well as (ordinary and double) inertia surface tractions on the boundary layer and (ordinary) inertia line tractions on the edge line rod; they all depend on the acceleration in a nonstandard way, but the classical laws are recovered in the case of no higher order inertia. The classical linear and angular momentum theorems are extended to the present context of second velocity gradient inertia, showing that the extended theorems—used in conjunction with the Cauchy traction theorem—lead to the local force and moment (stress symmetry) motion equations, just like for a classical continuum. A gradient elasticity theory is proposed, whereby the dynamic evolution problem for assigned initial and boundary conditions is shown to admit a Hamilton-type variational principle; the uniqueness of the solution is also discussed. A few simple applications to wave propagation and dispersion problems are presented. The paper indicates the correct way to describe the inertia forces in the presence of higher order inertia; it extends and improves previous findings by the author [Polizzotto, C., 2012. A gradient elasticity theory for second-grade materials and higher order inertia. Int. J. Solids Struct. 49, 2121–2137]. Overall conclusions are drawn at the end of the paper.     

Local topography‐induced pressure gradient effects on the wake and power output of a model wind turbine

Wind-tunnel experiments were performed to study the effect of favorable and adverse constant pressure gradients (PG) from local changes in the topography right downwind of a model wind turbine. Particle image velocimetry was used to characterize the near and intermediate wake regions. We explored five scenarios, two favorable, two adverse PG, and a case with negligible PG. Results show that the PGs induce a wake deflection and modulate the wake. They imposed a relatively small impact on the turbulence kinetic energy and kinematic shear stress but a comparatively dominant effect on the bulk flow on the flow recovery. Based on this, a simple formulation is used to describe the impact of PG on the wake. We modeled the base flow through a linearized perturbation method; the wake is obtained by solving a simplified, integrated streamwise momentum equation. This approach reasonably estimated the flow profile and PG-induced power output variations.     

Homogenization of the nonlinear Kelvin–Voigt model of viscoelasticity and of the Prager model of plasticity

Denoting by the stress tensor, by the linearized strain tensor, by A the elasticity tensor, and assuming that is a convex potential, the inclusion accounts for nonlinear viscoelasticity, and encompasses both the linear Kelvin–Voigt model of solid-type viscoelasticity and the Prager model of rigid plasticity with linear kinematic strain-hardening. This relation is assumed to represent the constitutive behavior of a space-distributed system, and is here coupled with the dynamical equation. An initial- and boundary-value problem is formulated, and the existence and uniqueness of the solution are proved via classical techniques based on compactness and monotonicity. A composite material is then considered, in which the function and the tensor A rapidly oscillate in space. A two-scale model is derived via Nguetseng’s notion of two-scale convergence. This provides a detailed account of the mesoscopic state of the system. Any dependence on the fine-scale variable is then eliminated, and the existence of a solution of a new single-scale macroscopic model is proved. The final outcome is at variance with the nonlinear extension of the generalized Kelvin–Voigt model, which is based on an apparently unjustified mean-field-type hypothesis.     

A micromechanics-based strain gradient damage model for fracture prediction of brittle materials – Part II: Damage modeling and numerical simulations

In this paper, we established a strain-gradient damage model based on microcrack analysis for brittle materials. In order to construct a damage-evolution law including the strain-gradient effect, we proposed a resistance curve for microcrack growth before damage localization. By introducing this resistance curve into the strain-gradient constitutive law established in the first part of this work (Li, 2011), we obtained an energy potential that is capable to describe the evolution of damage during the loading. This damage model was furthermore implemented into a finite element code. By using this numerical tool, we carried out detailed numerical simulations on different specimens in order to assess the fracture process in brittle materials. The numerical results were compared with previous experimental results. From these studies, we can conclude that the strain gradient plays an important role in predicting fractures due to singular or non-singular stress concentrations and in assessing the size effect observed in experimental studies. Moreover, the self-regularization characteristic of the present damage model makes the numerical simulations insensitive to finite-element meshing. We believe that it can be utilized in fracture predictions for brittle or quasi-brittle materials in engineering applications.     

A micromechanics-based strain gradient damage model for fracture prediction of brittle materials – Part I: Homogenization methodology and constitutive relations

In this paper, we first describe a homogenization methodology with the aim of establishing strain gradient constitutive relations for heterogeneous materials. The methodology presented in this work includes two main steps. The first one is the construction of the average strain-energy density for a well-chosen RVE by using a homogenization technique. The second one is the transformation of the obtained average strain-energy density to that for the continuum. An important characteristic of this method is its self-consistency with respect to the choice of the RVE: the strain gradient constitutive law built by using the present method is independent of the size and the form of the RVE. In the frame of this homogenization procedure, we have constructed a strain gradient constitutive relation for a two-dimensional elastic material with many microcracks by adopting the self-consistent scheme. It was shown that the effective behavior of cracked solids depends not only on the crack density but also on the average crack size with which the strain gradient is associated. The proposed constitutive relation provides a starting point for the development of an evolution law of damage including strain gradient effect, which will be presented in the second part of this work.     

Thermal behaviour of metal films – a hyperbolic two-step model

A perturbation technique is proposed for solution of the generalized equations governing the thermal behaviour of thin metal films described by a hyperbolic two-step model. The generalized equations of this model contains diffusion terms in both the electron and lattice energy equations and assumes that incident laser radiation is absorbed by both the electron gas and solid lattice to account for the thermal behaviour of semiconducting and impure metals. A perturbation technique is utilized to eliminate the coupling between the electron and phonon energy equations when the normalized temperature difference between electrons and phonons is a small quantity, which is true in materials exhibit high coupling factors. Received on 6 January 1999     

A size-dependent Reddy–Levinson beam model based on a strain gradient elasticity theory

A size-dependent Reddy–Levinson beam model is developed based on a strain gradient elasticity theory. Governing equations and boundary conditions are derived by using Hamilton’s principle. The model contains three material length scale parameters, which may effectively capture the size effect in micron or sub-micron. This model can degenerate into the modified couple stress model or even the classical model if two or all material length scale parameters are taken to be zero respectively. In addition, the present model recovers the micro scale Timoshenko and Bernoulli–Euler beam models based on the same strain gradient elasticity theory. To illustrate the new model, the static bending and free vibration problems of a simply supported micro scale Reddy–Levinson beam are solved respectively; the results are compared with the reduced models. Numerical results reveal that the differences in the deflection, rotation and natural frequency predicted by the present model and the other two reduced Reddy–Levinson models are getting larger as the beam thickness is comparable to the material length scale parameters. These differences, however, are decreasing or even diminishing with the increase of the beam thickness. This study may be helpful to characterize the mechanical properties of small scale beam-like structures for a wide range of potential applications.     

Bifurcation and stability analysis in predator–prey model with a stage-structure for predator

A predator–prey system with Holling type II functional response and stage-structure for predator is presented. The stability and Hopf bifurcation of this model are studied by analyzing the associated characteristic transcendental equation. Further, an explicit formula for determining the stability and the direction of periodic solutions bifurcating from positive equilibrium is derived by the normal form theory and center manifold argument. Some numerical simulations are also given to illustrate our results.     

‘Explicit’ and ‘implicit’ non-local continuous descriptions for a plate with circular inclusion in tension

Meccanica - Increasing application of composite structures in engineering field inherently speed up the studies focusing on the investigation of non-homogeneous bodies. Due to their capability on...     

An empirical model for the thermal conductivity of compacted bentonite and a bentonite–sand mixture

The thermal conductivities of compacted bentonite and a bentonite–sand mixture were measured to investigate the effects of dry density, water content and sand fraction on the thermal conductivity. A single expression has been proposed to describe the thermal conductivity of the compacted bentonite and the bentonite–sand mixture once their primary parameters such as dry density, water content and sand fraction are known.     

Elastic–plastic stresses in a rotating disc of transversely isotropic material fitted with a shaft and subjected to thermal gradient

The elastic–plastic stresses in a rotating disc of transversely isotropic material fitted with a shaft and subjected to thermal gradient has been analyzed by using Seth’s transition theory and generalized strain measure. It has been observed that disc made of beryl and magnesium materials requires higher angular speed to yield at the inner surface in comparison to the disc made of brass material. The radial stress has a maximum at the internal surface of the disc made of beryl, magnesium and brass materials, but circumferential stress neither maximum nor minimum at this surface. With the introduction of thermal effect, the value of circumferential stress has a maximum at the external surface of the disc made of the beryl and magnesium, but the reverse results are obtained for the disc made of brass material. The combined impacts of temperature and angular speed have been displayed numerically and depicted graphically.