Virtual testing applied to transverse multiple cracking of tows in woven ceramic composites

The present paper proposes a method of virtual testing with a view to investigating the local response of tows within textile ceramic matrix composite (CMC) under various loading conditions. The method was developed on 2D woven SiC/SiC composites. It capitalizes on knowledge on mechanical damage phenomenology and data established in previous works. It is applied to isolated transverse tows subjected to uniaxial loading by parallel longitudinal tows. The transverse tows contain heterogeneities like matrix voids, fibres and interphases. Mesh for finite element analysis is constructed from micrographs of composite cross section. Cracks were introduced into the mesh for simulation of multiple cracking. Transverse tow tensile behavior and data on distributions of flaw populations were derived from finite element computations of stress-state. Results were compared to experimental observations.     

Effect of matrix cracking in cross-ply ceramic matrix composite beams on their mechanical properties and natural frequencies

The present paper illustrates the effect of matrix cracks in longitudinal and transverse layers of cross-ply ceramic matrix composite (CMC) beams on their mechanical properties and vibration frequencies. Even in a geometrically linear problem considered in the paper, the physical non-linearity is introduced by matrix cracks and interfacial fiber-matrix friction in longitudinal layers. A closed-form solution for mechanical properties of a cross-ply CMC beam with matrix cracks is developed in the paper. The frequency of free vibrations of a simply supported beam is derived as a function of the amplitude, accounting for the effect of matrix cracks. As shown in the paper, the prediction of the natural frequencies of cross-ply CMC beams with matrix cracks in both longitudinal and transverse layers is possible using simple, yet accurate, approximate equations.     

Modeling of damage in unidirectional ceramic matrix composites and multi-scale experimental validation on third generation SiC/SiC minicomposites

The purpose of this paper is to experimentally validate a 1D probabilistic model of damage evolution in unidirectional SiC/SiC composites. The key point of this approach lies in the identification and validation at both local and macroscopic scales. Thus, in addition to macroscopic tensile tests, the evolution of microscopic damage mechanisms – in the form of matrix cracks and fiber breaks – is experimentally analyzed and quantified through in-situ scanning electron microscope and computed tomography tensile tests. A complete model, including both matrix cracking and fiber breaking, is proposed on the basis of existing modeling tools separately addressing these mechanisms. It is based on matrix and fiber failure probability laws and a stress redistribution assumption in the vicinity of matrix cracks or fiber breaks. The identification of interfacial parameters is conducted to fit the experimental characterization, and shows that conventional assumptions of 1D probabilistic models can adequately describe matrix cracking at both macro- and microscopic scales. However, it is necessary to enrich them to get a proper prediction of ultimate failure and fiber break density for Hi-Nicalon type S fiber-reinforced SiC/SiC minicomposites.     

陶瓷基复合材料基体唇形裂纹失效规律研究

建立横向拉伸载荷下的唇形裂纹数学模型,采用复变函数的方法,通过保角映射,推导了唇形裂纹尖端应力场和位移场的解析解,建立了唇形裂纹的应力强度因子准则和最大能量释放率准则,结合算例分析陶瓷基复合材料基体唇形裂纹的几何参数、外载荷和纤维分布对失效准则的影响规律.结果 表明,(1)裂纹尖端应力场和位移场的解析解与有限元计算结果...     

In-situ mechanical properties identification of 3D particulate composites using the Virtual Fields Method

This paper presents an identification procedure based on the Virtual Fields Method (VFM) for identifying in situ mechanical properties of composite materials constitutive phases from 3D full-field measurements. The new procedure, called the Regularized Virtual Fields Method (RVFM), improves the accuracy of the VFM thanks to the imposition of mechanical constraints derived from an appropriate homogenization model. The developed algorithms were validated through virtual experiments on particulate composites. The robustness of both the VFM and the RVFM was assessed in the presence of noisy strain data for various microstructures. A study was also carried out to investigate the influence of the size of region of interests on the reliability of the identified parameters. Accordingly, the optimum size of region of interest was determined based on full-field measurement requirements and accuracy of the identified parameters. This study enables determining, a priori, the required magnification level of 3D images for composites of any mechanical and morphological characteristics.     

Deformation of silicon – Insights from microcompression testing at 25–500 °C

The plastic deformation of silicon and other brittle materials near room temperature has conventionally been studied under high confining pressures, although it has been suggested that these may modify the dislocation core structure. Here, the possibility of using microcompression has been studied. Using this method the yield stress of silicon micropillars was measured for different pillar diameters and between 25 and 500 °C for a constant diameter of 2 μm. No pronounced effect of size on the yield stress was found, but the transition from failure by cracking to predominately plastic deformation was shown to be consistent with a previously proposed simple model for axial splitting. Deformed specimens were analysed by transmission electron microscopy to elucidate the operative dislocation mechanisms. This showed that at 500 °C deformation occurs by twinning and formation of partial dislocations, whereas at 100 °C it is associated with micro-cracking and only weakly dissociated dislocations.     

短切碳纤维C/SiC陶瓷基复合材料的动态劈裂拉伸实验

为了探究C/SiC陶瓷基复合材料的动态断裂力学行为和破坏形态,利用分离式霍普金森压杆(split Hopkinson pressure bar,SHPB)装置对3种不同短切碳纤维体积分数的C/SiC陶瓷基复合材料进行了动态劈裂实验,并利用扫描电子显微镜扫描了C/SiC复合材料试件的破坏界面,分析了C/SiC陶瓷基复合材料的失效特征和增韧机理。实验结果表明：C/SiC复合材料在冲击劈裂实验过程中,同一短切碳纤维体积分数下试件的动态抗拉强度随着冲击气压的增大而增大; 短切碳纤维体积分数为16.0%时, 材料的抗拉强度最低; 冲击后,试件的整体破坏情况与冲击气压、短切碳纤维体积分数有关。

     

Nonlinear viscoelastic multi-scale repetitive unit cell model of 3D woven composites with damage evolution

Three-dimensional (3D) textile composites have great potential applications to aircrafts and high speed vehicles because of the high strength/weight ratios and the capabilities of manufacturing complex, net-shape preforms. This paper reports the nonlinear viscoelastic responses and damage mechanisms of one kind of 3D textile composites, named as 3D orthogonal woven composite (3DOWC) under quasi-static tensile loading based on a micro/meso-scale repetitive unit cells (RUCs) model. In the RUCs model, the resin is described with a nonlinear viscoelastic material and the fibers/tows with an elastic material. The damage initiation and propagation in resin are simulated by the post-damage constitutive models with maximum principal theory failure criteria. The fibers/tows impregnated with resin are defined by elastic transverse-isotropic material model with ultimate strengths failure of ‘expanded smeared crack’ both along and perpendicular to fibers/tows axis direction. The engineering parameters and ultimate strengths of homogenized fibers/tows filled with matrix in meso-RUCs model are transferred from the numerical analysis of the micro-RUCs. The results are compared with experimental and theoretical values of RUC deformation and damage initiation and propagation under monotonic axial loading. The methodology of establishing the nonlinear visco-elastic multi-scale model of 3D textile composites without introducing the real fabric architecture in finite element analyses is explained. With the multi-scale RUCs model, the mechanical behaviors of other kinds of 3D textile composites can also be predicted.     

Experimental simulation of matrix cracking and debonding in a model brittle matrix composite

A model composite material system was designed to simulate typical damage mechanisms in unidirectional fiber reinforced brittle matrix composites. Experiments were performed at low to high quasistatic, macroscopic loading rates . At all loading rates reversal of the transverse strain was observed and was correlated to matrix cracking and debonding. The optical method of coherent gradient sensing (CGS) was used to obtain qualitative information regarding the stress fields and to observe the progression of damage. It was found that the sequence of damage formation (damage path) depended on the macroscopic loading rate. At lower loading rates periodic matrix cracks developed; minimal debonding of the reinforcement-matrix interface occurred only much later in the experiment. At higher loading rates extensive debonding followed propagation of the initial matrix crack, and periodic cracking was not observed. Several features of the material response of the model material system were also observed in a previously studied unidirectional ceramic matrix composite.     

Cohesive modeling of transverse cracking in laminates under in-plane loading with a single layer of elements per ply

This study aims to bridge the gap between classical understanding of transverse cracking in cross-ply laminates and recent computational methods for the modeling of progressive laminate failure. Specifically, the study investigates under what conditions a finite element model with cohesive X-FEM cracks can reproduce the in situ effect for the ply strength. It is shown that it is possible to do so with a single element across the thickness of the ply, provided that the interface stiffness is properly selected. The optimal value for this interface stiffness is derived with an analytical shear lag model. It is also shown that, when the appropriate statistical variation of properties has been applied, models with a single element through the thickness of a ply can predict the density of transverse matrix cracks.     

Molecular modeling of cracks at interfaces in nanoceramic composites

Toughness in Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) is achieved if crack deflection can occur at the fiber/matrix interface, preventing crack penetration into the fiber and enabling energy-dissipating fiber pullout. To investigate toughening in nanoscale CMCs, direct atomistic models are used to study how matrix cracks behave as a function of the degree of interfacial bonding/sliding, as controlled by the density of C interstitial atoms, at the interface between carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and a diamond matrix. Under all interface conditions studied, incident matrix cracks do not penetrate into the nanotube. Under increased loading, weaker interfaces fail in shear while stronger interfaces do not fail and, instead, the CNT fails once the stress on the CNT reaches its tensile strength. An analytic shear lag model captures all of the micromechanical details as a function of loading and material parameters. Interface deflection versus fiber penetration is found to depend on the relative bond strengths of the interface and the CNT, with CNT failure occurring well below the prediction of the toughness-based continuum He–Hutchinson model. The shear lag model, in contrast, predicts the CNT failure point and shows that the nanoscale embrittlement transition occurs at an interface shear strength scaling as _τs~_εf,CNTσCNT${\tau }_s~{\epsilon }_{f,CNT}{\sigma }_{CNT}$ rather than _τs~_σCNT${\tau }_s~{\sigma }_{CNT}$ typically prevailing for micron scale composites, where _εf,CNT${\epsilon }_{f,CNT}$ and _σCNT${\sigma }_{CNT}$ are the CNT failure strain and stress, respectively. Interface bonding also lowers the effective fracture strength in SWCNTs, due to formation of defects, but does not play a role in DWCNTs having interwall coupling, which are weaker than SWCNTs but less prone to damage in the outerwall.     

Role of the polymer phase in the mechanics of nacre-like composites

Although strength and toughness are often mutually exclusive properties in man-made structural materials, nature is full of examples of composite materials that combine these properties in a remarkable way through sophisticated multiscale architectures. Understanding the contributions of the different constituents to the energy dissipating toughening mechanisms active in these natural materials is crucial for the development of strong artificial composites with a high resistance to fracture. Here, we systematically study the influence of the polymer properties on the mechanics of nacre-like composites containing an intermediate fraction of mineral phase (57 vol%). To this end, we infiltrate ceramic scaffolds prepared by magnetically assisted slip casting (MASC) with monomers that are subsequently cured to yield three drastically different polymers: (i) poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA), a soft and weak elastomer; (ii) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a strong, stiff and brittle thermoplastic; and (iii) polyether urethane diacrylate-co-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PUA-PHEMA), a tough polymer of intermediate strength and stiffness. By combining our experimental data with finite element modeling, we find that stiffer polymers can increase the strength of the composite by reducing stress concentrations in the inorganic scaffold. Moreover, infiltrating the scaffolds with tough polymers leads to composites with high crack initiation toughness K_IC. An organic phase with a minimum strength and toughness is also required to fully activate the mechanisms programmed within the ceramic structure for a rising R-curve behavior. Our results indicate that a high modulus of toughness is a key parameter for the selection of polymers leading to strong and tough bioinspired nacre-like composites.     

Analysis of stress concentrations in unidirectional composites taking into account the tensile load in the matrix

A modified shear-lag model accounting for the effect of the tensile stiffness of the matrix is proposed for solving the stress redistribution due to the failure of fibers and matrix in unidirectionally fibre-reinforced composites. The advantages of this model are simple, reasonable and accurate by comparison with the other similar modified shear-lag models. It can be further extended to study the stress redistribution with interfacial damage between fibres and matrix. This paper quantitatively discusses the influence of the tensile stiffness ratio of matrix to fibre and of the fibre volume fraction on the stress concentration in the fibres and matrix adjacent to cut fibres and matrix, and suggests that the influence of the matrix stiffness on the stress concentration can be neglected when the matrix stiffness is low, such as polymer matrix composites, and the fibre volume fraction is high. For other cases such as ceramic and metal matrix composites, the tensile load of the matrix cannot be neglected in the shearlag analysis. The project supported by the Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China.     

Determination of the first ply failure load for a cross ply laminate subjected to uniaxial tension through computational micromechanics

A method for determining the in situ strength of fiber-reinforced laminas for three types of transverse loading including compression, tension and shear is presented. In the framework of this method, an analysis of local stresses that are responsible for the coalescence of matrix cracks is carried out by using a multi-fiber unit cell model and finite element method. The random distribution of fibers, fiber–matrix decohesion and matrix plastic deformations are taken into account in the micromechanical simulations. The present study also shows that the nonlinear hardening behavior of matrix reflects more realistically the influence of plastic deformations on the in situ transverse strength of lamina than the perfectly plastic behavior of matrix. The prediction of the in situ transverse strength is verified against the experimental data for a cross ply laminate subjected to uniaxial tension.     

Multi-scale defect interactions in high-rate failure of brittle materials,Part II: Application to design of protection materials

Micromechanics based damage models, such as the model presented in Part I of this 2 part series (Tonge and Ramesh, 2015), have the potential to suggest promising directions for materials design. However, to reach their full potential these models must demonstrate that they capture the relevant physical processes. In this work, we apply the multiscale material model described in Tonge and Ramesh (2015) to ballistic impacts on the advanced ceramic boron carbide and suggest possible directions for improving the performance of boron carbide under impact conditions. We simulate both dynamic uniaxial compression and simplified ballistic loading geometries to demonstrate that the material model captures the relevant physics in these problems and to interrogate the sensitivity of the simulation results to some of the model input parameters. Under dynamic compression, we show that the simulated peak strength is sensitive to the maximum crack growth velocity and the flaw distribution, while the stress collapse portion of the test is partially influenced by the granular flow behavior of the fully damaged material. From simulations of simplified ballistic impact, we suggest that the total amount of granular flow (a possible performance metric) can be reduced by either a larger granular flow slope (more angular fragments) or a larger granular flow timescale (larger fragments). We then discuss the implications for materials design.     

Dynamic stress intensity factors of multiple cracks in a functionally graded orthotropic half-plane

In the present paper dynamic stress intensity factor and strain energy density factor of multiple cracks in the functionally graded orthotropic half-plane under time-harmonic loading are investigated. By utilizing the Fourier transformation technique the stress fields are obtained for a functionally graded orthotropic half-plane containing a Volterra screw dislocation. The variations of the material properties are assumed to be exponential forms which the equilibrium has an analytical solution. The dislocation solution is utilized to formulate integral equation for the half-plane weakened by multiple smooth cracks under anti-plane deformation. The integral equations are of Cauchy singular type at the location of dislocation which are solved numerically to obtain the dislocation density on the faces of the cracks. The dislocation densities are employed to determined stress intensity factor and strain energy density factors (SEDFs) for multiple smooth cracks under anti-plane deformation. Numerical examples are provided to show the effects of material properties and the crack configuration on the dynamic stress intensity factors and SEDFs of the functionally graded orthotropic half-plane with multiple curved cracks.     

埋置框架质量检测的探讨

提出了埋置框架的回传射线矩阵法,研究了方波脉冲轴向作用、水平作用和斜向作用下有缺陷埋置框架和无缺陷埋置框架的速度波．结果表明;横向速度波不能识别埋置框架的基桩缺陷,轴向速度波可以识别,而且基桩缺陷信号很强烈;脉冲水平作用不能识别基桩缺陷,轴向或斜向作用可以识别．     

Application of a wave transform to pressure transient testing in porous media

Solutions to the diffusion equation for nonuniform media are difficult to obtain in a form that can be easily evaluated. Often the solutions are written as the inverse Laplace transform of an inverse Fourier transform. In this paper, I show that the wave transform of Bragg and Dettman (1968) coupled with the Cagniard-de Hoop method for solving the wave propagation problem results in simplified solutions to the problem of pressure transient testing in linear composite reservoirs. The potential usefulness of an inverse wave transform, which would transform measured pressure data (smooth) into a wave signal propagating at the velocity of the square root of the diffusivity, is demonstrated by a synthetic example. In the example, diffusivity of the source region is estimated from the time of the direct wave arrival, while diffusivity of a second, higher diffusivity region is estimated from the velocity of the head wave. In the wave domain the time-like variable has units of (time)^1/2 which makes the units of velocity equal to L T-^(1/2). I also demonstrate, using synthetic data, that it is difficult, but perhaps possible, to invert the wave transform numerically.     

On the influence of local fluctuations in volume fraction of constituents on the effective properties of nonlinear composites. Application to porous materials

Composite materials often exhibit local fluctuations in the volume fraction of their individual constituents. This paper studies the influence of such small fluctuations on the effective properties of composites. A general asymptotic expansion of these properties in terms of powers of the amplitude of the fluctuations is given first. Then, this general result is applied to porous materials.As is well-known, the effective yield surface of ductile voided materials is accurately described by Gurson's criterion. Suitable extensions for viscoplastic solids have also been proposed. The question addressed in the present study pertains to nonuniform distributions of voids in a typical volume element or in other words to the presence of matrix-rich and pore-rich zones in the material. It is shown numerically and analytically that such deviations from a uniform distribution result in a weakening of the macroscopic carrying capacity of the material.