Homogenization of layered elastoplastic composites: Theoretical results

Exact closed-form solutions are derived that completely characterize the effective behavior of a composite material made of elastic-perfectly plastic parallel plane layers perfectly bonded together. The derivation is framed within a rigorous theory of homogenization for elastoplastic composites, and based on the fundamental fact that the in-plane part of the strain tensor and the out-of-plane part of the stress tensor are uniform throughout the composite provided no free-edge effects occur. The obtained expressions are coordinate-free and valid in the general anisotropic case. As an example, a layered composite material with isotropic constituents is examined in detail.     

A three-dimensional,higher-order,elasticity-based micromechanics model

The three-dimensional (3D) version of a new homogenization theory [A Two-Dimensional, Higher-Order, Elasticity-Based Micromechanics Model, in print] is presented. The 3D theory utilizes a higher-order, elasticity-based cell model (ECM) analysis for a periodic array of 3D unit cells. The unit cell is discretized into eight subregions or subcells. The displacement field within each subcell is approximated by a (truncated) eigenfunction expansion of up to fifth order. The governing equations are developed by satisfying the pointwise governing equations of geometrically linear continuum mechanics exactly up through the given order of the subcell displacement fields. The specified governing equations are valid for any type of constitutive model used to describe the behavior of the material in a subcell. The specialization of the theory to lower orders and to two-dimeinsions (2D) and to the exact one-dimensional (1D) theory is discussed.Since the proposed 3D homogenization theory correctly reduces to both 2D and 1D the validation process applied to the 2D theory [A Two-Dimensional, Higher-Order, Elasticity-Based Micromechanics Model, in print] directly applies to the current formulation. Additional comparisons of the predicted responses obtained from the 3D ECM theory with existing published results are conducted. The good agreement obtained shows that the current theory represents a viable 3D homogenization tool. The improved agreement between the current theory results and published results as compared to the comparison of the MOC results and the published results is due to the correct incorporation of the coupling effects between the local fields. Additional results showing the convergence behavior of the average fields as a function of the order of the analysis is presented. These results show that the 1st order theory may not accurately predict the local averages but that consistent and converged behavior is obtained using the higher order ECM theories.The proposed theory represents the necessary theoretical foundations for the development of exact homogenization solutions of generalized, three-dimensional microstructures.     

A two-dimensional,higher-order,elasticity-based micromechanics model

A new, two-dimensional (2D) homogenization theory is proposed. The theory utilizes a higher-order, elasticity-based cell model (ECM) analysis. The material microstructure is modeled as a 2D periodic array of unit cells where each unit cell is discretized into four subregions (or subcells). The analysis utilizes a (truncated) eigenfunction expansion of up to fifth order for the displacement field in each subcell. The governing equations for the theory are developed by satisfying the pointwise governing equations of geometrically linear continuum mechanics exactly up through an order consistent with the order of the subcell displacement field. The formulation is carried out independently of any specified constitutive models for the behavior of the individual phases (in the sense that the general governing equations hold for any constitutive model). The fifth order theory is subsequently specialized to a third order theory. Additionally, the higher order analyzes reduce to a theory equivalent to the original 2D method of cells (MOC) theory when all higher order terms are eliminated. The proposed 2D theory is the companion theory to an equivalent 3D theory [T.O. Williams, A three-dimensional, higher-order, elasticity-based micromechanics model, Int. J. Solids Struc., in press].Comparison of the predicted bulk and local responses with published results indicates that the theory accurately predicts both types of responses. The high degree of agreement between the current theory results and published results is due to the correct incorporation of the coupling effects between the local fields.The proposed theory represents the necessary theoretical foundations for the development of exact homogenization solutions of generalized, two-dimensional microstructures.     

Three-dimensional analysis of doubly curved functionally graded magneto-electro-elastic shells

Three-dimensional (3D) solutions for the static analysis of doubly curved functionally graded (FG) magneto-electro-elastic shells are presented by an asymptotic approach. In the present formulation, the twenty-nine basic equations are firstly reduced to ten differential equations in terms of ten primary variables of elastic, electric and magnetic fields. After performing through the mathematical manipulation of nondimensionalization, asymptotic expansion and successive integration, we finally obtain recurrent sets of two-dimensional (2D) governing equations for various order problems. These 2D governing equations are merely those derived in the classical shell theory (CST) based on the extended Love–Kirchhoffs' assumptions. Hence, the CST-type governing equations are derived as a first-order approximation to the 3D magneto-electro-elasticity. The leading-order solutions and higher-order corrections can be determined by treating the CST-type governing equations in a systematic and consistent way. The 3D solutions for the static analysis of doubly curved multilayered and FG magneto-electro-elastic shells are presented to demonstrate the performance of the present asymptotic formulation. The coupling magneto-electro-elastic effect on the structural behavior of the shells is studied.     

Transient waves in composite materials

A continuum theory for transient wave propagation in three-dimensional composite materials is given. The derived model provides a set of governing equations for the prediction of dynamic response of elastic composites to impulsive loadings. Pulse propagation normal to the direction of layering in periodically bilaminated media, and normal to the fiber direction in unidirectional long-fiber composites are obtained as special cases. The dynamic response of the composite is determined solely from the materials properties of the constituents (assumed in general to be orthotropic) and their geometrical dimensions. The predicted propagating transient waves are checked with exact solutions for impacted laminated composites, and with measured data for a fiber-reinforced material. Applications are given for pulse propagation in particulate composites and in tri-othogonally fiber-reinforced materials.     

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.     

周期性结构热动力时间-空间多尺度分析

研究一种时间-空间多尺度渐近均匀化分析方法，模拟不同的极端热和动力载荷下微尺度多 相周期性结构中热动力响应问题，并建立一个广义的波动函数场控制方程描述热动力响应. 通过引入一个放大空间尺度和两个缩小时间尺度，在不同时间尺度上获得由空间非均匀性引 起的波动效应和非局部效应. 根据高阶均匀化理论在空间和时间上进行均匀化，获得高阶非 局部函数场波动方程. 并进一步用C0连续修正了高阶非局部函数场波动方程的有限元近 似解，使问题的求解避免了对有限元离散的C1连续性要求. 并与经典的空间均匀化方法 相比较，指出了经典的空间均匀化方法的局限性，进一步以一维非傅立叶热传导和热动力问 题为例，讨论了各种情况下方法的正确性与有效性.     

New exact results for the effective electric, elastic, piezoelectric and other properties of composite ellipsoid assemblages

In this paper we present a unified treatment of composite ellipsoid assemblages in the setting of uncoupled phenomena like conductivity and elasticity and coupled phenomena like thermoelectricity and piezomagnetoelectricity. The building block of this microgeometry is a confocal ellipsoidal particle consisting of a (possibly void) core and a coating. All space is filled up with such units which have different sizes but possess the same aspect ratios. The confocal ellipsoids may have the same orientation in space or may be randomly oriented. The resulting microgeometry simulates two-phase composites in which the reinforcing components are short fibers or elongated particles. Our main interest is in obtaining information of an exact nature on the effective moduli of this microgeometry whose effective tensor symmetry structure depends on the packing mode of the coated ellipsoids. This information will sometimes be complete like the full effective thermoelectric tensor of an assemblage which contains aligned ellipsoids in which the coating is isotropic and the core is arbitrarily anisotropic. In the majority of the cases however the maximum achievable exact information will be only partial and will appear in the form of certain exact relations between the effective moduli of the microgeometry. These exact relations are obtained from exact solutions for the fields in the microstructure for a certain set of loading conditions. In all the considered cases an isotropic coating can be combined with a fully arbitrary core. This covers the most important physical case of anisotropic fibers in an isotropic matrix. Allowing anisotropy in the coating requires the fulfillment of certain constraint conditions between its moduli. Even though in this case the presence of such constraint conditions may render the anisotropic coating material hypothetical, the value of the derived solutions remains since they still provide benchmark comparisons for approximate and numerical treatments. The remarkable feature of the general analysis which covers all treated uncoupled and coupled phenomena is that it is developed solely on the basis of potential solutions of the conduction problem in the same microgeometry.     

A micromechanics-based approach for the derivation of constitutive elastic coefficients of strain-gradient media

A micromechanics-based approach for the derivation of the effective properties of periodic linear elastic composites which exhibit strain gradient effects at the macroscopic level is presented. At the local scale, all phases of the composite obey the classic equations of three-dimensional elasticity, but, since the assumption of strict separation of scales is not verified, the macroscopic behavior is described by the equations of strain gradient elasticity. The methodology uses the series expansions at the local scale, for which higher-order terms, (which are generally neglected in standard homogenization framework) are kept, in order to take into account the microstructural effects. An energy based micro–macro transition is then proposed for upscaling and constitutes, in fact, a generalization of the Hill–Mandel lemma to the case of higher-order homogenization problems. The constitutive relations and the definitions for higher-order elasticity tensors are retrieved by means of the “state law” associated to the derived macroscopic potential. As an illustration purpose, we derive the closed-form expressions for the components of the gradient elasticity tensors in the particular case of a stratified periodic composite. For handling the problems with an arbitrary microstructure, a FFT-based computational iterative scheme is proposed in the last part of the paper. Its efficiency is shown in the particular case of composites reinforced by long fibers.     

Multiple spatial and temporal scales method for numerical simulation of non-classical heat conduction problems: one dimensional case

A multiple spatial and temporal scales method is studied to simulate numerically the phenomenon of non-Fourier heat conduction in periodic heterogeneous materials. The model developed is based on the higher-order homogenization theory with multiple spatial and temporal scales in one dimensional case. The amplified spatial scale and the reduced temporal scale are introduced respectively to account for the fluctuations of non-Fourier heat conduction due to material heterogeneity and non-local effect of the homogenized solution. By separating the governing equations into various scales, the different orders of homogenized non-Fourier heat conduction equations are obtained. The reduced time dependence is thus eliminated and the fourth-order governing differential equations are derived. To avoid the necessity of C¹ continuous finite element implementation, a C⁰ continuous mixed finite element approximation scheme is put forward. Numerical results are shown to demonstrate the efficiency and validity of the proposed method.     

Physical variational principle and thin plate theory in electro-magneto-elastic analysis

Under the assumption of the quasi-static electric and magnetic fields the electro-magneto-elastic analysis including medium and its environment is studied in this paper. The complete governing equations under the finite deformation can be derived from the physical variational principle. In the physical variational principle the variations of the electric potential and magnetic potential are divided into local variations and migratory variations. From the virtual change of the sum of the electromagnetic energy and the couple energy produced by the migratory variation we can get the electromagnetic force and in this case the virtual variation of the volume should be considered. It is also found that the Maxwell stress is directly related to the strain in a material with piezoelectric or piezomagnetic behavior for the finite deformation case. The thin plate theory in first order is derived from the general theory in this paper and the Maxwell stress is naturally included in the governing equations.     

Indentation of a compressible soft electroactive half-space: Some theoretical aspects

We theoretically study the indentation response of a compressible soft electroactive material by a rigid punch. The half-space material is assumed to be initially subjected to a finite deformation and an electric biasing field. By adopting the linearized theory for incremental fields, which is established on the basis of a general nonlinear theory for electroelasticity, the appropriate equations governing the perturbed infinitesimal elastic and electric fields are derived particularly when the material is subjected to a uniform equibiaxial stretch and a uniform electric displacement. A general solution to the governing equations is presented, which is concisely expressed in terms of four quasi-harmonic functions. By adopting the potential theory method, exact contact solutions for three common perfectly conducting rigid indenters of flat-ended circular, conical and spherical geometries can be derived, and some explicit relations that are of practical importance are outlined.     

Material sensitivity analysis in homogenization of linear elastic composites

Summary  The main goal of the paper is to present theoretical aspects and the finite element method (FEM) implementation of the sensitivity analysis in homogenization of composite materials with linear elastic components, using effective modules approach. The deterministic sensitivity analysis of effective material properties is presented in a general form for an n-components periodic composite, and is illustrated by the examples of 1D as well as of 2D heterogeneous structures. The results of the sensitivity analysis presented in the paper confirm the usefulness of the homogenization method in computational analysis of composite materials the method may be applied to computational optimization of engineering composites, to the shape-sensitivity studies and, after some probabilistic extensions, to stochastic sensitivity analysis of random composites. Received 10 November 2000; accepted for publication 24 April 2001     

Mathematical Models and Methods of the Mechanics of Stochastic Composites

The basic approaches used in mathematical models and general methods for solution of the equations of the mechanics of stochastic composites are generalized. They can be reduced to the stochastic equations of the theory of elasticity of a structurally inhomogeneous medium, to the equations of the theory of effective elastic moduli, to the equations of the theory of elastic mixtures, or to more general equations of the fourth order. The solution of the stochastic equations of the elastic theory for an arbitrary domain involves substantial mathematical difficulties and may be implemented only rather approximately. The construction of the equations of the theory of effective moduli is associated with the problem on the effective moduli of a stochastically inhomogeneous medium, which can be solved by the perturbation method, by the method of moments, or by the method of conditional moments. The latter method is most appropriate. It permits one to determine the effective moduli in a two-point approximation and nonlinear deformation properties. In the structure of equations, the theory of elastic mixtures is more general than the theory of effective moduli; however, since the state equations have not been strictly substantiated and the constants have not been correctly determined, theoretically or experimentally, this theory cannot be used for systematic designing composite structures. A new model of the nonuniform deformation of composites is more promising. It is constructed by performing strict mathematical transformations and averaging the output stochastic equations, all the constants being determined. In the zero approximation, the equations of the theory of effective moduli follow from this model, and, in the first approximation, fourth-order equations, which are more general than those of the theory of mixtures, follow from it     

An exact solution for the three-phase thermo-electro-magneto-elastic cylinder model and its application to piezoelectric–magnetic fiber composites

A three-phase cylindrical model for analyzing fiber composite subject to in-plane mechanical load under the coupling effects of multiple physical fields (thermo, electric, magnetic and elastic) is presented. By introducing an eigenstrain corresponding to the thermo-electro-magnetic-elastic effect, the complex multi-field coupling problem can be reduced to a formal in-plane elasticity problem for which an exact closed form solution is available. The present three-phase model can be applied to fiber/interphase/matrix composites, such that a lot of interesting thermo-electro-magnetism and stress coupling phenomena induced by the interphase layer are revealed. The present model can also be applied to fiber/matrix composites, in terms of which a generalized self-consistent method (GSCM) is developed for predicting the effective properties of piezoelectric–magnetic fiber reinforced composites. The effective piezoelectric, piezomagnetic, thermoelectric and magnetoelectric moduli can be expressed in compact explicit formulae for direct references and applications. A comparison of the predictions by the GSCM with available experimental data is presented, and interesting magnification effects and peculiar product properties are discussed. As a theoretical basis for the GSCM, the equivalence of the three sets of different average field equations in predicting the effective properties are proved, and this fact provides a strong evidence of mathematical rigor and physical realism in the formulation.     

A theory of composites modeled as interpenetrating solid continua

The differential equations and boundary conditions describing the behavior of a finitely deformable, heat-conducting composite material are derived by means of a systematic application of the laws of continuum mechanics to a well-defined macroscopic model consisting of interpenetrating solid continua. Each continuum represents one identifiable constituent of the N-constituent composite. The influence of viscous dissipation is included in the general treatment. Although the motion of the combined composite continuum may be arbitrarily large, the relative displacement of the individual constituents is required to be infinitesimal in order that the composite not rupture. The linear version of the equations in the absence of heat conduction and viscosity is exhibited in detail for the case of the two-constituent composite. The linear equations are written for both the isotropic and transversely isotropic material symmetries. Plane wave solutions in the isotropic case reveal the existence of high-frequency (optical type) branches as well as the ordinary low-frequency (acoustic type) branches, and all waves are dispersive. For the linear isotropic equations both static and dynamic potential representations are obtained, each of which is shown to be complete. The solutions for both the concentrated ordinary body force and relative body force are obtained from the static potential representation.     

Variational asymptotic method for unit cell homogenization of periodically heterogeneous materials

A new micromechanics model, namely, the variational asymptotic method for unit cell homogenization (VAMUCH), is developed to predict the effective properties of periodically heterogeneous materials and recover the local fields. Considering the periodicity as a small parameter, we can formulate a variational statement of the unit cell through an asymptotic expansion of the energy functional. It is shown that the governing differential equations and periodic boundary conditions of mathematical homogenization theories (MHT) can be reproduced from this variational statement. In comparison to other approaches, VAMUCH does not rely on ad hoc assumptions, has the same rigor as MHT, has a straightforward numerical implementation, and can calculate the complete set of properties simultaneously without using multiple loadings. This theory is implemented using the finite element method and an engineering program, VAMUCH, is developed for micromechanical analysis of unit cells. Many examples of binary composites, fiber reinforced composites, and particle reinforced composites are used to demonstrate the application, power, and accuracy of the theory and the code of VAMUCH.     

Objective evaluation of linearization procedures in nonlinear homogenization: A methodology and some implications on the accuracy of micromechanical schemes

A systematic methodology for an accurate evaluation of various existing linearization procedures sustaining mean fields theories for nonlinear composites is proposed and applied to recent homogenization methods. It relies on the analysis of a periodic composite for which an exact resolution of both the original nonlinear homogenization problem and the linear homogenization problems associated with the chosen linear comparison composite (LCC) with an identical microstructure is possible. The effects of the sole linearization scheme can then be evaluated without ambiguity. This methodology is applied to three different two-phase materials in which the constitutive behavior of at least one constituent is nonlinear elastic (or viscoplastic): a reinforced composite, a material in which both phases are nonlinear and a porous material. Comparisons performed on these three materials between the considered homogenization schemes and the reference solution bear out the relevance and the performances of the modified second-order procedure introduced by Ponte Castañeda in terms of prediction of the effective responses. However, under the assumption that the field statistics (first and second moments) are given by the local fields in the LCC, all the recent nonlinear homogenization procedures still fail to provide an accurate enough estimate of the strain statistics, especially for composites with high contrast.