Onset of failure in finitely strained layered composites subjected to combined normal and shear loading

A limiting factor in the design of fiber-reinforced composites is their failure under axial compression along the fiber direction. These critical axial stresses are significantly reduced in the presence of shear stresses. This investigation is motivated by the desire to study the onset of failure in fiber-reinforced composites under arbitrary multi-axial loading and in the absence of the experimentally inevitable imperfections and finite boundaries.By using a finite strain continuum mechanics formulation for the bifurcation (buckling) problem of a rate-independent, perfectly periodic (layered) solid of infinite extent, we are able to study the influence of load orientation, material properties and fiber volume fraction on the onset of instability in fiber-reinforced composites. Two applications of the general theory are presented in detail, one for a finitely strained elastic rubber composite and another for a graphite-epoxy composite, whose constitutive properties have been determined experimentally. For the latter case, extensive comparisons are made between the predictions of our general theory and the available experimental results as well as to the existing approximate structural theories. It is found that the load orientation, material properties and fiber volume fraction have substantial effects on the onset of failure stresses as well as on the type of the corresponding mode (local or global).     

Global load-sharing model for unidirectional hybrid fibre-reinforced composites

A promising strategy to increase the tensile failure strain of carbon fibre-reinforced composites is to hybridise carbon fibres with other, higher-elongation fibres. The resulting increase in failure strain is known as the hybrid effect. In the present article, a global load-sharing model for hybrid composites is developed and used to carry out a parametric study for carbon/glass hybrids. Hybrid effects of up to 15% increase in failure strain are predicted, corresponding reasonably well to literature data. Scatter in the carbon fibre strength is shown to be crucial for the hybrid effect, while the scatter in glass fibre strength is much less important. In contrast to reports in earlier literature, the ratio of failure strains of the two fibres has only a small influence on the hybrid effect. The results provide guidelines for designing optimal hybrid composites.     

功能梯度材料矩形中厚板的受压/热致屈曲

考虑材料组份沿板厚度方向按幂律变化的情形,研究了温度均匀变化时固支功能梯度材料(FGM)矩形中厚板的受压屈曲、热致屈曲和考虑热／机械预应力时的屈曲问题,给出了基于Reddy高阶剪切理论研究板屈曲荷载和屈曲临界温度的半解析数值方法．并以Si3N4／SUS304板为例考虑了材料组份、预加应力、横向剪切变形及面内位移约束条件等对FGM板屈曲承载能力的影响．     

Model for predicting effective thermal conductivity of composites with aligned continuous fibers of graded conductivity

Governing differential equations in both transverse and longitudinal directions for predicting the effective thermal conductivities of composites with aligned, graded continuous fibers are derived. It is shown that the effective conductivities of composites with graded fibers are predicted by solving the equations. The results by the present approach are applicable to both dilute and non-dilute cases without additional procedures unlike other approaches. The results are compared with those in the literature, and the applicability of the present approach is justified. A solution by the present approach is obtained analytically or numerically as long as thermal conductivity profile of fibers is given.     

Buckling analysis of fibers in composite materials by wave propagation analogy

The analogy between the governing equations for the analysis of buckling in elastic structures and the elastodynamic equations of motion for wave propagation is presented. By employing this analogy, the exact and approximate buckling stresses of periodic layered materials and continuous fiber composites, respectively, are established. This is performed by utilizing micromechanically based dispersion relations for elastic wave propagating in the composite materials, which provide for a given wave length the corresponding phase velocity. By a specific change of variables in these dispersion relations, the corresponding buckling stresses can be determined. Results are presented and compared with solutions based on the mechanics of materials approach as well as with the well known Rosen’s fiber buckling predictions.     

Vibration and buckling of laminated sandwich plates having interfacial imperfections

The vibration and buckling characteristics of sandwich plates having laminated stiff layers are studied for different degrees of imperfections at the layer interfaces using a refined plate theory. With this plate theory, the through thickness variation of transverse shear stresses is represented by piece-wise parabolic functions where the continuity of these stresses is satisfied at the layer interfaces by taking jumps in the transverse shear strains at the interfaces. The transverse shear stresses free condition at the plate top and bottom surfaces is also satisfied. The inter-laminar imperfections are represented by in-plane displacement jumps at the layer interfaces and characterized by a linear spring layer model. It is quite interesting to note that this plate model having all these refined features requires unknowns only at the reference plane. To have generality in the analysis, finite element technique is adopted and it is carried out with a new triangular element developed for this purpose, as any existing element cannot model this plate model. As there is no published result on imperfect sandwich plates, the problems of perfect sandwich plates and imperfect ordinary laminates are used for validation.     

Analytical solution for buckling of asymmetrically delaminated Reissner’s elastic columns including transverse shear

The exact analytical solution of buckling in delaminated columns is presented. In order to investigate analytically the influence of axial and shear strains on buckling loads the geometrically exact beam theory is employed with no simplification of the governing equations. The critical forces are then obtained by the linearized stability theory. In the paper, we limit the studies to linear elastic columns with a single delamination, but with arbitrary longitudinal and vertical asymmetry of delamination and arbitrary boundary conditions. The studies of quantitative and qualitative influence of transverse shear are shown in detail and extensive results for buckling loads with respect to delamination length, thickness and longitudinal position are presented.     

模型复合材料弹塑性界面应力分析

由纤维增强弹塑性基体所产生的界面具有弹塑性力学行为。考虑到一般材料的塑性变形都遵循幂硬化规律,对模型复合材料的界面进行弹性和应变硬化状态下的变形规律及其应力分析。以纤维拔出试验为研究模型,将界面分成弹性区和塑性区。利用界面应力剪滞理论,分别建立弹性区和塑性区的界面力学基本方程。选择适当的位移函数满足基本方程及埋入纤维的边界条件,再按位移函数求出弹性区和塑性区的界面剪应力。推导出平均界面剪应力与纤维     

Dynamic stability analysis of an elastic composite material having a negative-stiffness phase

The rigorous classical bounds of elastic composite materials theory provide limits on the achievable composite stiffnesses in terms of the properties and arrangements of the composite's constituents. These bounds result from the assumption, presumably made for stability reasons, that each constituent material must have positive-definite elastic moduli. If this assumption is relaxed, recently published elasticity analyses and experimental measurements show these bounds can be greatly exceeded, resulting in new materials of enormous potential.The key question is whether a composite material having a non-positive-definite constituent can be stable overall in the practically useful situation of applied traction boundary conditions. Drugan [2007. Elastic composite materials having a negative-stiffness phase can be stable. Phys. Rev. Lett. 98 (5), article no. 055502] first proved the answer is yes, by applying the energy criterion of elastic stability to the basic two- and three-dimensional composites consisting of a cylinder or sphere having non-positive-definite (but strongly elliptic) moduli with a thin positive-definite coating and proving overall stability provided the coating is sufficiently stiff.Here, we perform a complete and direct dynamic stability analysis of the plane strain fundamental elastic composite consisting of a circular cylinder of non-positive-definite material firmly bonded to a positive-definite concentric coating, for the full range of coating thicknesses (i.e., volume fractions). We determine quantitatively the full permissible range of inclusion and coating moduli, as a function of coating thickness, for which the overall composite is stable under dead traction boundary conditions. Among the results, we show that in the thin-coating case, the present dynamic stability analysis leads to precisely the same analytical stability requirements as those derived via the energy criterion by Drugan [2007. Elastic composite materials having a negative-stiffness phase can be stable. Phys. Rev. Lett. 98 (5), article no. 055502], and we derive new analytical stability requirements that are valid for a wider range of coating thickness. At the other extreme, we show that in the case of very thick coatings (corresponding to the dilute case of a matrix-inclusion composite), even an inclusion with merely strongly elliptic moduli can be stabilized by a positive-definite matrix satisfying weak requirements, for which we derive analytical expressions. Overall, our results show that surprisingly weak restrictions on the moduli and thickness of the positive-definite coating are sufficient to stabilize a non-positive-definite inclusion, even one whose moduli are merely strongly elliptic. These results legitimize expanding the search for novel materials with extreme properties to those incorporating a non-positive-definite constituent, and they provide quantitative restrictions on the constituent materials’ moduli and volume fractions, for the geometry examined here, that ensure overall stability of such composite materials.     

Quantitative modelling of viscoelasticity of isotropic fibrous composites with viscoelastic matrices

Despite the wide usage of isotropic fibrous composites with a viscoelastic polymer matrix, no analytic model for their mechanical behaviour is known. This paper develops such a model for time-dependent Young's modulus, showing that for typical constituents the time constants of composites are up to about 6% greater than the matrix shear time constant. Viscoelasticity is strongly suppressed for stiff fibres even at modest fibre volume fractions. Comparison with known results for particle and oriented fibre composites confirms isotropic fibrous composites as between the two in terms of viscoelastic behaviour, but more similar to the latter.     

Elastoplastic microscopic bifurcation and post-bifurcation behavior of periodic cellular solids

In this study, a general framework is developed to analyze microscopic bifurcation and post-bifurcation behavior of elastoplastic, periodic cellular solids. The framework is built on the basis of a two-scale theory, called a homogenization theory, of the updated Lagrangian type. We thus derive the eigenmode problem of microscopic bifurcation and the orthogonality to be satisfied by the eigenmodes. The orthogonality allows the macroscopic increments to be independent of the eigenmodes, resulting in a simple procedure of the elastoplastic post-bifurcation analysis based on the notion of comparison solids. By use of this framework, then, bifurcation and post-bifurcation analysis are performed for cell aggregates of an elastoplastic honeycomb subject to in-plane compression. Thus, demonstrating a basic, long-wave eigenmode of microscopic bifurcation under uniaxial compression, it is shown that the eigenmode has the longitudinal component dominant to the transverse component and consequently causes microscopic buckling to localize in a cell row perpendicular to the loading axis. It is further shown that under equi-biaxial compression, the flower-like buckling mode having occurred in a macroscopically stable state changes into an asymmetric, long-wave mode due to the sextuple bifurcation in a macroscopically unstable state, leading to the localization of microscopic buckling in deltaic areas.     

Size-dependent effective thermoelastic properties of nanocomposites with spherically anisotropic phases

Composites made of semi-crystalline polymers and nanoparticles have a spherulitic microstructure which can be reasonably represented by a spherically anisotropic volume element. Due to the high surface-to-volume ratio of a nanoparticle, the particle-matrix interface stress, usually neglected in determining the effective elastic moduli of particle-reinforced composites, may have a non-negligible effect. To account for the latter in estimating the effective thermoelastic properties of a composite consisting of nanoparticles embedded in a semi-crystalline polymeric matrix, this work adopts a coherent interface model for the nanoparticle-matrix interface and proposes an extended version of the classical generalized-self consistent method. In particular, Eshelby's formulae widely used to calculate the elastic energy change of a homogeneous medium due to the introduction of an inhomogeneity are extended to the thermoelastic case. The nanoparticle size effect on the effective thermoelastic moduli of the composite are theoretically shown and numerically illustrated.     

Sudden deceleration or acceleration of an intersonic shear crack

Sudden jumps in the crack tip velocity were revealed by numerical simulation (in both continuum/cohesive element and molecular dynamics approaches) and experiments for rapid shear cracking. The cracking velocity may accelerate from a sub-Rayleigh speed to the intersonic range, or from an intersonic speed to a higher one, when the reflected impact wave reloads the crack tip. On the other hand, the cracking velocity may decelerate from an intersonic speed to a lower one or recede to the sub-Rayleigh range when the fracture driving force declines. The velocity change encountered during intersonic cracking plays a different role from that in the acceleration or deceleration of a subsonic crack. A crack propagating at an intersonic speed would leave a shear wave trailing behind. When the crack decelerates or accelerates, the effect of the trailing wave will lead to a transition period from one steady-state solution of crack tip singularity to another. This investigation aims at quantifying these processes. The full field solution of an intersonic mode II crack whose speed changed suddenly from one velocity (intersonic or subsonic) to another (intersonic or subsonic) is given in closed form. The solution is facilitated via superposing a series of propagating crack problems that are loaded by dislocations to seal the unwanted crack-face sliding or by concentrated forces moving at various speeds to negate the crack-face traction. In contrast to the subsonic solution, the results in the intersonic case indicate that the elastic fields around the crack tip depend on the deceleration or acceleration history that is traced back over a long time. Singularity matching dictates the jump that may actually take place.     

Bending of a poroelastic beam with lateral diffusion

Bending an elastic beam leads to a complicated 3D stress distribution, but the shear and transverse stresses are so small in a slender beam that a good approximation is obtained by assuming purely uniaxial stress. In this paper, we demonstrate that the same is true for a saturated poroelastic beam. Previous studies of poroelastic beams have shown that, to satisfy the Beltrami–Michell compatibility conditions, it is necessary to introduce either a normal transverse stress or shear stresses in addition to the bending stress. The problem is further complicated if lateral diffusion is permitted. In this study, a fully coupled finite element analysis (FEA) incorporating the lateral diffusion effect is presented. Results predicted by the “exact” numerical solution, including load relaxation, pore pressure, stresses and strains, are compared to an approximate analytical solution that incorporates the assumptions of simple beam theory. The applicability of the approximate beam-bending solution is investigated by comparing it to FEA simulations of beams with various aspect ratios. For “beams” with large width-to-height ratios, the Poisson effect causes vertical deflections that cannot be neglected. It is suggested that a theory of plate bending is needed in the case of poroelastic media with large width-to-height ratios. Nevertheless, use of the approximate solution yields very small errors over the range of width-to-height ratios (viz., 1–4) explored with FEA.     

Dissipative interface waves and the transient response of a three-dimensional sliding interface with Coulomb friction

We investigate the linearized response of two elastic half-spaces sliding past one another with constant Coulomb friction to small three-dimensional perturbations. Starting with the assumption that friction always opposes slip velocity, we derive a set of linearized boundary conditions relating perturbations of shear traction to slip velocity. Friction introduces an effective viscosity transverse to the direction of the original sliding, but offers no additional resistance to slip aligned with the original sliding direction. The amplitude of transverse slip depends on a nondimensional parameter η=c_sτ₀/μv₀, where τ₀ is the initial shear stress, 2v₀ is the initial slip velocity, μ is the shear modulus, and c_s is the shear wave speed. As η→0, the transverse shear traction becomes negligible, and we find an azimuthally symmetric Rayleigh wave trapped along the interface. As η→∞, the inplane and antiplane wavesystems frictionally couple into an interface wave with a velocity that is directionally dependent, increasing from the Rayleigh speed in the direction of initial sliding up to the shear wave speed in the transverse direction. Except in these frictional limits and the specialization to two-dimensional inplane geometry, the interface waves are dissipative. In addition to forward and backward propagating interface waves, we find that for η>1, a third solution to the dispersion relation appears, corresponding to a damped standing wave mode. For large-amplitude perturbations, the interface becomes isotropically dissipative. The behavior resembles the frictionless response in the extremely strong perturbation limit, except that the waves are damped. We extend the linearized analysis by presenting analytical solutions for the transient response of the medium to both line and point sources on the interface. The resulting self-similar slip pulses consist of the interface waves and head waves, and help explain the transmission of forces across fracture surfaces. Furthermore, we suggest that the η→∞ limit describes the sliding interface behind the crack edge for shear fracture problems in which the absolute level of sliding friction is much larger than any interfacial stress changes.     

Modeling long-term creep rupture by debonding in unidirectional fibre-reinforced composites

Delayed fracture due to debonding can be observed in many unidirectional fibre-reinforced composites when the fibre/matrix interface experiences creep. The aim of this work is to describe such a phenomenon within the recently proposed modeling framework of transverse isotropy that allows for a neat decomposition of the mechanical behavior into fibre-directional, transverse, and pure shear parts. Specifically, debonding is here chosen to be governed by the tension transverse to the fibres. One can then speak of a mode-I debonding if use is made of the terminology adopted in fracture mechanics. On another hand, the time-dependent response is attributed to the matrix constituent. As the role of this latter is to deform and support stresses primarily in shear, a viscoelastic behavior is introduced that affects solely the pure shear part of the behavior. We show that both characteristics can be easily embedded into the aforementioned formulation. Among others, the occurrence of tertiary creep is made possible to predict. It is otherwise found that the predicted debonding path always propagates along the direction of the fibres in agreement with many experimental observations found in the literature. On the numerical side, the algorithmic treatment of debonding is independent of the one for viscoelasticity. This renders the implementation within the context of the finite element method very easy.     

Crack in a 2D beam lattice: Analytical solutions for two bending modes

We consider an infinite square-cell lattice of elastic beams with a semi-infinite crack. Symmetric and antisymmetric bending modes of fracture under remote loads are examined. The related long-wave asymptotes corresponding to a continuous anisotropic bending plate are also considered. In the latter model, the symmetric mode is characterized by the square-root type singularity, whereas the antisymmetric mode results in a hyper-singular field. A solution for the continuous plate with a finite crack is also presented. These closed-form continuous solutions describe the fields in the whole plane. The main goal is to establish analytical connections between the ‘macrolevel’ state, defined by the continuous asymptote of the lattice solution, and the maximal bending moment in the crack-front beam, that is, to determine the resistance of the lattice with an initial crack to the crack advance. The solutions are obtained in the same way as for mass-spring lattices. Considering the static problems we use the discrete Fourier transform and the Wiener-Hopf technique. Monotonically distributed bending moments ahead of the crack are determined for the symmetric mode, and a self-equilibrated transverse force distribution is found for the antisymmetric mode. It is shown that in the latter case only the crack-front beam resists to the fracture development, whereas the forces in the other beams facilitate the fracture. In this way, the macrolevel fracture energy is determined in terms of the material strength. The macrolevel energy release is found to be much greater than the critical strain energy of the beam, especially in the hyper-singular mode. In both problems, it is found that among the beams surrounding the crack the crack-front beam is maximally stressed, and hence its strength defines the strength of the structure.     

Buckling of a coating strip of finite width bonded to elastic half-space

A solution for buckling of a stiff strip of finite width bonded to a compliant elastic half-space and subjected to uniform axial compression is presented. Approximate semi-analytical and finite element solutions are obtained and compared with a two-dimensional case of a plate on elastic foundation. The comparison demonstrates that the two-dimensional solution can be applied to predict the buckling wavelength and critical compressive strain when the width of the strip is equal to or larger than the buckling wavelength. For narrow strips, the wavelength is smaller and critical strain is higher than that of a plate on foundation.