A continuum damage mechanics framework for modeling micro-damage healing

A novel continuum damage mechanics-based framework is proposed to model the micro-damage healing phenomenon in the materials that tend to self-heal. This framework extends the well-known Kachanov’s (1958) effective configuration and the concept of the effective stress space to self-healing materials by introducing the healing natural configuration in order to incorporate the micro-damage healing effects. Analytical relations are derived to relate strain tensors and tangent stiffness moduli in the nominal and healing configurations for each postulated transformation hypothesis (i.e. strain, elastic strain energy, and power equivalence hypotheses). The ability of the proposed model to explain micro-damage healing is demonstrated by presenting several examples. Also, a general thermodynamic framework for constitutive modeling of damage and micro-damage healing mechanisms is presented.     

A thermodynamic method for the construction of a cohesive law from a nonlocal damage model

Several published papers deal with the possibility of replacing a damage finite element model by a combination of cohesive zones and finite elements. The focus of the paper is to show under which conditions this change of model can be done in an energy-wise manner.The objective is to build a cohesive model based on a known damage model, without making any assumption on the shape of the cohesive law. The method is characterized, on the one hand, by the use of a well-defined thermodynamic framework for the cohesive model and, on the other hand, by the idea that the main quantity which must be maintained through the change of model is the energy dissipated by the structure. An analysis of the stability criteria enables us to determine the domains of validity of the different models. Thus, we show that it is consistent to derive the cohesive law from a given nonlocal damage model because the occurrence of a discontinuity can be viewed as an alternative way to limit localization. The method is illustrated on one-dimensional examples and a numerical resolution method for the problem with a cohesive zone is presented.     

Fracture testing of a self-healing polymer composite

Inspired by biological systems in which damage triggers an autonomic healing response, a polymer composite material that can heal itself when cracked has been developed. In this paper we summarize the self-healing concept for polymeric composite materials and we investigate fracture mechanics issues consequential to the development and optimization of this new class of material. The self-healing material under investigation is an epoxy matrix composite, which incorporates a microencapsulated healing agent that is released upon crack intrusion. Polymerization of the healing agent is triggered by contact with an embedded catalyst. The effects of size and concentration of the catalyst and microcapsules on fracture toughness and healing efficiency are investigated. In all cases, the addition of microcapsules significantly toughens the neat epoxy. Once healed, the self-healing polymer exhibits the ability to recover as much as 90 percent of its virgin fracture toughness.     

A generalized coupled viscoplastic-viscodamage-viscohealing theory for glassy polymers

A thermodynamic consistent, small-strain, non-unified model is developed to capture the irregular rate dependency included in the strain controlled inelastic responses of polymers at the glassy state. The model is considered as a generalized Frederick-Armstrong-Philips-Chaboche (FAPC) theory proposed by [Voyiadjis and Basuroychowdhury, 1998] and [Voyiadjis and Abu Al-Rub, 2003] which is based on a von Mises and Chaboche isotropic hardening type viscoplasticity formulation. Using the proposed model, different experimental results are simulated and the range of viscoplastic related material constants are obtained through a parametric study. The thermodynamic framework is used to incorporate the effect of coupling between viscodamage and viscohealing phenomena into the inelastic deformation of glassy polymers. This coupling effect is crucial for polymeric based self healing systems in which different damage mechanisms are active and the efficiency of the healing processes are highly dependent on the damage. The computational aspect for general coupled inelastic-damage-healing processes together with the required solution algorithms are elaborated and the inelastic-damage-healing response of a polymeric based self-healing system is simulated. The proposed viscoplasticity theory constitutes a physically consistent approach to model the irregular mechanical responses of glassy polymers and the viscodamage model provides an exquisite predicting tool to evaluate the ductile damage associated with the large inelastic deformation and low cycle fatigue in polymeric based material systems. In conclusion, a well structured viscohealing theory is formulated for polymeric based self healing systems.     

Fatigue damage modeling in solder interconnects using a cohesive zone approach

The objective of this work is to model the fatigue damage process in a solder bump subjected to cyclic loading conditions. Fatigue damage is simulated using the cohesive zone methodology. Damage is assumed to occur at interfaces modeled through cohesive zones in the material, while the bulk material is assumed to be linear elastic. The state of damage at a cohesive zone is incorporated into the cohesive zone constitutive law by a elasticity-based damage variable. The gradual degradation of the solder material and the corresponding damage accumulation throughout the cycling process is accounted for by a damage evolution law which captures the main damage characteristics. The model prediction of the solder bump life-time is shown to be in good agreement with one of the commonly used empirical life-time prediction laws.     

构元组集模型对结构弹性损伤至断裂过程的描述及与内聚区模型的比较

结构的响应实质上是材料的响应,宏观结构损伤至断裂的发展过程也是材料性质不断演化的结果。构元组集模型从材料的微观物理变形机制出发,基于对泛函势理论和Cauchy-Born准则,抽象出两种构元——弹簧束构元和体积构元。在微观层次上,结构损伤和断裂的实质都是原子间键合力减弱和丧失的结果,而弹簧束构元是同一方向上的原子键的抽象,因此损伤可以通过弹簧束构元的响应曲线来反映。组集两种构元的响应,建立了材料的弹性损伤本构关系,从而能一致描述材料从弹性到损伤、破坏的发展过程。将构元组集模型的本构关系嵌入ABAQUS的用户材料单元子程序UMAT,实现对结构响应的数值模拟。本文模拟了包含中心预制裂纹三点弯曲梁的裂纹扩展过程,并与内聚区模型比较,给出了内聚区模型所假设的应力——位移关系曲线,并从材料损伤演化的角度对材料裂纹扩展过程做出了物理解释。     

固体结构损伤破坏统一相场理论、算法和应用

固体开裂引起的损伤和断裂是工程材料和结构最为普遍的破坏形式.为了防止这种破坏,结构设计首先必须了解裂缝在固体内如何萌生、扩展、分叉、汇聚甚至破碎;更重要的是,还需要准确量化这些裂缝演化过程对于结构完整性和安全性降低的不利影响.针对上述固体结构损伤破坏问题,本工作系统地介绍了笔者提出的统一相场理论、算法及其应用.作为一种...     

短柱型复合材料加筋壁板轴向压缩破坏分析方法研究

复合材料加筋结构可作为航空结构中的承力部件,其损伤与破坏对航空器的结构安全和服役性能至关重要。本文通过试验和数值仿真手段研究了短柱型复合材料结构压缩失效机理和极限承载力。通过短柱型单加筋板的轴向压缩破坏试验,分析梳理出界面脱粘和材料压溃两种典型失效形式;分别建立加筋板壳单元模型和实体单元模型,引入内聚力模型和Hashin准则描述界面脱粘效应与材料破坏,结果表明壳单元模型配合内聚力模型和Hashin准则可以有效地预测加筋板的极限承载力。分别讨论了加筋板长度、筋条高度、筋条/蒙皮刚度比等参数对加筋板的屈曲承载力的影响,为短柱型复合材料加筋壁板压缩损伤与破坏预测分析提供有益的参考。     

Micromechanical model for cohesive materials based upon pseudo-granular structure

A micromechanical model for cohesive materials is derived by considering their underlying microstructure conceptualized as a collection of grains interacting through pseudo-bonds. The pseudo-bond or the inter-granular force–displacement relations are formulated taking inspiration from the atomistic-level particle interactions. These force–displacement relationships are then used to derive the incremental stiffnesses at the grain-scale, and consequently, obtain the sample-scale stress–strain relationship of a representative volume of the material. The derived relationship is utilized to study the stress–strain and failure behavior including the volume change and “brittle” to “ductile” transition behavior of cohesive materials under multi-axial loading condition. The model calculations are compared with available measured data for model validation. Model predictions exhibit both quantitative and qualitative consistency with the observed behavior of cohesive material.     

Interface models coupling adhesion and friction

Interface models coupling friction and adhesion, where adhesion is regarded as interface damage, are briefly reviewed. The most widely used cohesive zone models are presented and discussed. A general framework for these laws, recently developed by Del Piero and Raous in the form of a unified model, is outlined. As an example, it is here established that the RCCM (Raous–Cangémi–Cocou–Monerie) model is a specific case in this general framework. The variational formulation and some associated solvers are briefly recalled in the context of non-smooth mechanics in the cases of both quasi-static and dynamic problems. A few examples in various fields of application are given. Lastly, some open problems and ongoing researches in this field are presented and discussed.     

CRACK PROPAGATION IN POLYCRYSTALLINE ELASTIC-VISCOPLASTIC MATERIALS USING COHESIVE ZONE MODELS

Cohesive zone model was used to simulate two-dimensional plane strain crack propagation at the grain level model including grain boundary zones. Simulated results show that the original crack-tip may not be separated firstly in an elastic-viscoplastic polycrystals. The grain interior's material properties (e.g. strain rate sensitivity) characterize the competitions between plastic and cohesive energy dissipation mechanisms. The higher the strain rate sensitivity is, the larger amount of the external work is transformed into plastic dissipation energy than into cohesive energy, which delays the cohesive zone rupturing. With the strain rate sensitivity decreased, the material property tends to approach the elastic-plastic responses. In this case, the plastic dissipation energy decreases and the cohesive dissipation energy increases which accelerates the cohesive zones debonding. Increasing the cohesive strength or the critical separation displacement will reduce the stress triaxiality at grain interiors and grain boundaries. Enhancing the cohesive zones ductility can improve the matrix materials resistance to void damage.     

Gradient Damage Models Coupled with Plasticity and Nucleation of Cohesive Cracks

In the framework of rate-independent systems, a family of elastic-plastic-damage models is proposed through a variational formulation. Since the goal is to account for softening behaviors until the total failure, the dissipated energy contains a gradient damage term in order to limit localization effects. The resulting model owns a great flexibility in the possible coupled responses, depending on the constitutive parameters. Moreover, considering the one-dimensional quasi-static problem of a bar under simple traction and constructing solutions with localization of damage, it turns out that in general a cohesive crack appears at the center of the damage zone before the rupture. The associated cohesive law is obtained in a closed form in terms of the parameters of the model.     

A cohesive plastic and damage zone model for dynamic crack growth in rate-dependent materials

Mode I steady-state dynamic crack growth in rate-dependent viscoplastic solids containing damage, under small scale yielding conditions, is analyzed based on a modified cohesive zone model. A multi-scale approach is used to describe the entire non-linear zone consisting of a plastic region and a damage region, each of which has its own constitutive law. Traction in the damage region is characterized by a softening power-law, in terms of the ultimate strength, a softening index and a rate sensitivity factor. In the plastic region, the cohesive law is assumed to be both strain hardening and rate dependent. The critical crack opening displacement at the physical crack-tip controls crack growth. The governing integral equations are derived and solved by a collocation method combined with associated boundary conditions. Numerical results are presented for the traction and opening profiles along the cohesive zone, the fracture energy and lengths of the damage and non-linear zones at different crack speeds and for different material parameters. The importance of factors, such as material softening, plastic deformation, crack speed and viscosity, is identified by parametric studies. In addition, the competition of plastic flow and material damage, and its effect on crack growth, are discussed.     

混凝土黏聚开裂模型若干进展

黏聚模型是用来描述混凝土断裂行为的基本模型, 首先介绍了混凝土的黏聚开裂模型的基本概念,总结了确定黏聚区的本构方程的各种方法,即直接单轴拉伸测试、J积分方法、R曲线法、柔度法和逆推法.然后介绍了黏聚模型在I型和复合型裂纹问题、疲劳断裂问题中的应用以及黏聚模型与混凝土尺寸效应的关系.最后对黏聚开裂模型与桥联模型、带状裂缝模型进行了比较和总结, 指出了该模型存在的问题, 并对其以后的发展方向提出了建议.      

Theoretical development and experimental validation of a thermally dissipative cohesive zone model for dynamic fracture of amorphous polymers

A thermally dissipative cohesive zone model is developed for predicting the temperature increase at the tip of a crack propagating dynamically in a nominally brittle material exhibiting a cohesive-type failure such as crazing. The model assumes that fracture energy supplied to the crack tip region that is in excess of that needed for the creation of new free surfaces during crack advance is converted to heat within the cohesive zone. Bulk dissipation mechanisms, such as plasticity, are not accounted for. Several cohesive traction laws are examined, and the model is then used to make predictions of crack tip heating at various crack propagation speeds in the nominally brittle amorphous polymer PMMA, observed to fail by a crazing-type mechanism. The heating predictions are compared to experimental data where the temperature field surrounding a high speed crack in PMMA was measured. Measurements are made in real time using a multi-point high speed HgCdTe infrared radiation detector array. At the same time as temperature, simultaneous measurement of fracture energy is made by a strain gauge technique, and crack tip speed is monitored through a resistance ladder method. Material strength can be estimated through uniaxial tension tests, thus minimizing the need for parameter fitting in the stress-opening traction law. Excellent agreement between experiments and theory is found for two of the cohesive traction law temperature predictions, but only for the case where a single craze is active during the dynamic fracture of PMMA, i.e. crack tip speed up to approximately 0.2c_R. For higher speed fracture where subsurface damage becomes prominent, the line dissipation model of a cohesive zone is inadequate, and a distributed damage model is needed.     

A constitutive model for semi-crystalline polymer deformation involving lamellar fragmentation

The mechanism of lamellar fragmentation in the semi-crystalline polymers with spherulitic structure, is observed at the beginning of plastic flow. It causes significant damage. This elementary mechanism is considered here as a result of plastic deformation coupled with damage, in the framework of generalized standard materials. The simplicity and the efficiency of the proposed approach come from the fact that the semi-crystalline polymers are considered as a macromolecular network bridled by intra-lamellar cohesive forces. Tensile tests and relaxation tests demonstrate the usefulness of a damage–plasticity coupled model.     

Characterization of Microvascular-Based Self-healing Coatings

A protocol is described to assess self-healing of crack damage in a polymer coating deposited on a substrate containing a microvascular network. The bio-inspired coating/substrate design delivers healing agent to cracks in the coating via a three-dimensional microvascular network embedded in the substrate. Through capillary action, monomer flows from the network channels into the crack plane where it is polymerized by a catalyst embedded in the coating. The healing efficiency of this materials system is assessed by the recovery of coating fracture toughness in a four-point beam bending experiment. Healing results for the microvascular networks are compared to data for a coating containing microencapsulated healing agents. A single crack in a brittle epoxy coating is healed as many as seven times in the microvascular systems, whereas microcapsule-based healing occurs for only one cycle. The ability to heal continuously with the microvascular networks is limited by the availability of catalyst in the coating.     

A Continuous–Discontinuous Approach to Simulate Heat Transfer in Fractured Media

A macroscopic framework to model heat transfer in materials and composites, subjected to physical degradation, is proposed. The framework employs the partition of unity concept and captures the change from conduction-dominated transfer in the initial continuum state to convection and radiation-dominated transfer in the damaged state. The underlying model can be directly linked to a mechanical cohesive zone model, governing the initiation and subsequent growth and coalescence of micro-cracks. The methodology proved to be applicable for quasi-static, periodic, and transient problems.     

Cohesive zone laws for fatigue crack growth: Numerical field projection of the micromechanical damage process in an elasto-plastic medium

Cohesive zone failure models are widely used to simulate fatigue crack propagation under cyclic loading, but the model parameters are phenomenological and are not closely tied to the underlying micromechanics of the problem. In this paper, we will inversely extract the cohesive zone laws for fatigue crack growth in an elasto-plastic ductile solid using a field projection method (FPM), which projects the equivalent tractions and separations at the cohesive crack-tip from field information outside the process zone. In our small-scale yielding model, a single row of discrete voids is deployed directly ahead of a crack in an elasto-plastic medium subjected to cyclic mode I K-field loading. Damage accumulation under cyclic loading is captured by the growth of voids within the micro-voiding zone ahead of the crack, while the evolution of the cohesive zone law representing the micro-voiding zone is inversely extracted via the FPM. We show that the field-projected cohesive zone law captures the essential micromechanisms of fatigue crack growth in the ductile medium: from loading and unloading hysteresis caused by void growth and plastic hardening, to the softening damage locus associated with crack propagation via a void by void growth mechanism. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the FPM in obtaining a micromechanics-based cohesive zone law in-place of phenomenological models, which opens the way for a unified treatment of fatigue crack problems.     

在材料研制中的连续介质细观力学有限元建模现状评论（译文）

评述了机械载荷下材料力学行为有限元模拟的先进技术.分析 了考虑材料微观及细观结构情况下，对材料变形、损伤、断裂进行模 拟时各种方法的优缺点及发展前景.阐述了对材料行为模拟方法的发 展，包括基本的及先进的方法，如体胞方法、真实结构模拟、粘结区 模型等.分析了在先进新材料的开发中运用有限元方法的可能性