Nonlinear analysis of compressed elastic thin films on elastic substrates: From wrinkling to buckle-delamination

Nonlinear buckling of elastic thin films on compliant substrates is studied by modeling and simulations to reveal the roles of pre-strain, elastic modulus ratio, and interfacial properties in morphological transition from wrinkles to buckle-delamination blisters. The model integrates an interfacial cohesive zone model with the Föppl–von Kármán plate theory and Green function method within the general framework of energy minimization. A kinetics approach is developed for numerical simulations. Subject to a uniaxial pre-strain, the numerical simulations confirm the analytically predicted critical conditions for onset of wrinkling and wrinkle-induced delamination, with which a phase diagram is constructed. It is found that, with increasing pre-strain, the equilibrium configuration evolves from flat to wrinkles, to concomitant wrinkles and buckle-delamination, and to an array of parallel straight blisters. The height and width of the buckle-delamination blisters can be approximately described by a set of scaling laws with respect to the pre-strain and interfacial toughness. Subject to an equi-biaxial pre-strain, the critical conditions are determined numerically to construct a similar phase diagram for the buckling modes. Moreover, by varying the pre-strain, modulus ratio, and interfacial toughness, a rich variety of equilibrium configurations are simulated, including straight blisters, and network blisters with or without wrinkles. These results provide considerable insight into diverse surface patterns in layered material systems as a result of the mechanical interactions between the film and the substrate through their interface, which suggests potential control parameters for designing specific surface patterns.     

Plastic deformation of freestanding thin films: Experiments and modeling

Experimental measurements and computational results for the evolution of plastic deformation in freestanding thin films are compared. In the experiments, the stress-strain response of two sets of Cu films is determined in the plane-strain bulge test. One set of samples consists of electroplated Cu films, while the other set is sputter-deposited. Unpassivated films, films passivated on one side and films passivated on both sides are considered. The calculations are carried out within a two-dimensional plane strain framework with the dislocations modeled as line singularities in an isotropic elastic solid. The film is modeled by a unit cell consisting of eight grains, each of which has three slip systems. The film is initially free of dislocations which then nucleate from a specified distribution of Frank-Read sources. The grain boundaries and any film-passivation layer interfaces are taken to be impenetrable to dislocations. Both the experiments and the computations show: (i) a flow strength for the passivated films that is greater than for the unpassivated films and (ii) hysteresis and a Bauschinger effect that increases with increasing pre-strain for passivated films, while for unpassivated films hysteresis and a Bauschinger effect are small or absent. Furthermore, the experimental measurements and computational results for the 0.2% offset yield strength stress, and the evolution of hysteresis and of the Bauschinger effect are in good quantitative agreement.     

Modeling of wrinkling of thin circular sheets

A version of the imperfection method is used to investigate the wrinkling (tension buckling) of thin, elastic, homogeneous, isotropic circular plates of uniform thickness undergoing small deflections without inplane twisting. A numerical procedure based on the finite difference approach is employed to quantitatively predict wrinkling loads and wrinkling patterns for three sets of support conditions. Representative numerical results are presented in tabular and graphical formats and used to illustrate interesting aspects of the predictions.     

Stretch-induced stress patterns and wrinkles in hyperelastic thin sheets

Wrinkles are commonly observed in stretched thin sheets and membranes. This paper presents a numerical study on stretch-induced wrinkling of hyperelastic thin sheets based on nonlinear finite element analyses. The model problem is set up for uniaxial stretching of a rectangular sheet with two clamped ends and two free edges. A two-dimensional stress analysis is performed first under the plane-stress condition to determine stretch-induced stress distribution patterns in the elastic sheets, assuming no wrinkles. As a prerequisite for wrinkling, development of compressive stresses in the transverse direction is found to depend on both the length-to-width aspect ratio of the sheet and the applied tensile strain in the longitudinal direction. A phase diagram is constructed with four different distribution patterns of the stretch-induced compressive stresses, spanning a wide range of aspect ratio and tensile strain. Next, an eigenvalue analysis is performed to find the potential buckling modes of the elastic sheet under the prescribed boundary conditions. Finally, a nonlinear post-buckling analysis is performed to show evolution of stretch-induced wrinkles. In addition to the aspect ratio and tensile strain, it is found that the critical condition for wrinkling and the post-buckling behavior both depend sensitively on the sheet thickness. In general, wrinkles form only when both the magnitude and the distribution area of the compressive stresses are sufficiently large. The wrinkle wavelength decreases with increasing strain, in good agreement with the prediction by a scaling analysis. However, as the tensile strain increases, the wrinkle amplitude first increases and then decreases, eventually flattened beyond a moderately large critical strain, in contrast to the scaling analysis.     

Stability boundaries for wrinkling in highly stretched elastic sheets

We determine stability boundaries for the wrinkling of highly unidirectionally stretched, finely thin, rectangular elastic sheets. For a given fine thickness and length, a stability boundary here is a curve in the parameter plane, aspect ratio vs. the macroscopic strain; the values on one side of the boundary are associated with stable unwrinkled (flat) states, while stable wrinkled configurations correspond to all values on the other. In our recent work we demonstrated the importance of finite elasticity in the membrane part of such a model in order to capture the correct phenomena. Here we present and compare results for four distinct models: (i) the popular Föppl–von Kármán plate model (FvK), (ii) a correction of the latter, used in our earlier work, in which the approximate 2D Föppl strain tensor is replaced by the exact Green strain tensor, (iii) and (iv): effective 2D finite-elasticity membrane models based on 3D incompressible neo-Hookean and Mooney–Rivlin materials, respectively. In particular, (iii) and (iv) are superior models for elastomers. The 2D nonlinear, hyperelastic models (ii)–(iv) all incorporate the same quadratic bending energy used in FvK. Our results illuminate serious shortcomings of the latter in this problem, while also pointing to inaccuracies of model (ii) – in spite of yielding the correct qualitative phenomena in our earlier work. In each of these, the shortcoming is a due to a deficiency of the membrane part of the model.     

A study on wrinkling characteristics and dynamic mechanical behavior of membrane

An eigenvalue method considering the membrane vibration of wrinkling out-of-plane deformation is introduced, and the stress distributing rule in membrane wrinkled area is analyzed. A dynamic analytical model of rectangular shear wrinkled membrane and its numerical analysis approach are also developed. Results indicate that the stress in wrinkled area is not uniform, i.e. it is larger in wrinkling wave peaks along wrinkles and two ends of wrinkle in vertical direction. Vibration modes of wrinkled membrane are strongly correlated with the wrinkling configurations. The rigidity is larger due to the heavier stress in the part of wrinkling wave peaks. Therefore, wave peaks are always located at the node lines of vibration mode. The vibration frequency obviously increases with the vibration of wave peaks.     

On the wrinkling of a pre-stressed annular thin film in tension

Asymptotic properties of the neutral stability curves for a linear boundary eigenvalue problem which models the wrinkling instability of an annular thin film in tension are considered. The film is subjected to imposed radial displacement fields on its inner and outer boundaries and, when these loads are sufficiently large, the film is susceptible to wrinkling. The critical values at which this onset occurs are dictated by the solution of a fourth-order ordinary differential eigensystem whose eigenvalue λ is a function of μ(?1), a quantity inversely proportional to the non-dimensional bending stiffness of the film, and n, the number of half-waves of the wrinkling pattern that sets in around the annular domain. Previously, Coman and Haughton [2006. Localised wrinkling instabilities in radially stretched annular thin films. Acta Mech. 185, 179-200] employed the compound matrix method together with a WKB technique to characterise the form of λ(μ,n) which essentially is related to a turning point in a reduced eigenproblem. The asymptotic analysis conducted therein pertained to the case when this turning point was not too close to the inner edge of the annulus. However, in the thin film limit μ→∞, the wrinkling load and the preferred instability mode are given by a modified eigenvalue problem that involves a turning point asymptotically close to the inner rim. Here WKB and boundary-layer asymptotic methods are used to examine these issues and comparisons with direct numerical simulations made.     

Multiple bifurcations in wrinkling analysis of thin films on compliant substrates

Wrinkling phenomena of stiff thin films on compliant substrates are investigated based on a non-linear finite element model. The resulting non-linear equations are then solved by the Asymptotic Numerical Method (ANM) that gives interactive access to semi-analytical equilibrium branches, which offers considerable advantage of reliability compared with classical iterative algorithms. Bifurcation points are detected through computing bifurcation indicators well adapted to the ANM. The effect of boundary conditions and material properties of the substrate on the bifurcation portrait is carefully studied. The evolution of wrinkling patterns and post-bifurcation modes including period-doubling has been observed beyond the onset of the primary sinusoidal wrinkling mode in the post-buckling range.     

Quantitative characterization of the interfacial adhesion of Ni thin film on steel substrate: A compression-induced buckling delamination test

A compression-induced buckling delamination test is employed to quantitatively characterize the interfacial adhesion of Ni thin film on steel substrate. It is shown that buckles initiate from edge flaws and surface morphologies exhibit symmetric, half-penny shapes. Taking the elastoplasticity of film and substrate into account, a three-dimensional finite element model for an edge flaw with the finite size is established to simulate the evolution of energy release rates and phase angles in the process of interfacial buckling-driven delamination. The results show that delamination propagates along both the straight side and curved front. The mode II delamination plays a dominant role in the process with a straight side whilst the curved front experiences almost the pure mode I. Based on the results of finite element analysis, a numerical model is developed to evaluate the interfacial energy release rate, which is in the range of 250–315 J/m² with the corresponding phase angle from −41° to −66°. These results are in agreement with the available values determined by other testing methods, which confirms the effectiveness of the numerical model.     

Experiment and evaluation of wrinkling strain in a corner tensioned square membrane

Prediction of wrinkling characteristics is strongly correlated with the strain perpendicular to wrinkling direc- tion. In this paper, the strain field of wrinkled membrane is tested by VIC-3D system based on the digital image correlation technique. Experimental results are validated by the tension wrinkling simulation. The experimental strain perpendicular to wrinkling direction is analyzed in depth. The wrinkling strain of a square wrinkled membrane under corner tension is extracted from experimental strain perpendicular to wrinkling direction. A quantitative characterization format of the experimental wrinkling strain is proposed. A modified prediction method of wrinkling amplitude is presented based on the experimental wrinkling strain. The re- sults show that the precision of modified prediction model has improved 13.2% compared with the classical prediction model. The results reveal that the modified model can give an accurate prediction of the wrinkling amplitude.     

The Mexican hat effect on the delamination buckling of a compressed thin film

Because of the interaction between film and substrate,the film buckling stress can vary significantly,depending on the delamination geometry,the film and substrate mechanical properties.The Mexican hat effect indicates such interaction.An analytical method is presented,and related dimensional analysis shows that a single dimensionless parameter can effectively evaluate the effect.     

Surface wrinkling of mucosa induced by volumetric growth: Theory, simulation and experiment

Mechanics of living tissues focusing on the relationships between growth, morphology and function is not only of theoretical interest but can also be useful for diagnosis of certain diseases. In this paper, we model the surface wrinkling morphology of mucosa, the moist tissue that commonly lines organs and cavities throughout the body, induced by either physiological or pathological volumetric growth. A theoretical framework of finite deformation is adopted to analyze the deformation of a cylindrical cavity covered by mucosal and submucosal layers. It is shown that compressive residual stresses induced by the confined growth of mucosa can destabilize the tissue into various surface wrinkling patterns. A linear stability analysis of the critical condition and characteristic buckling patterns indicates that the wrinkling mode is sensitive to the thicknesses of the mucosal and submucosal layers, as well as the properties of the tissues. The thinner the mucosal layer and the lower its elastic modulus, the shorter the buckling wavelength. A series of finite element simulations are performed to validate the theoretical predictions and to study local wrinkling or non-uniform patterns associated with inhomogeneous growth. Our postbuckling analysis shows that the surface pattern may evolve towards a period-doubling morphology due to continuous growth of mucosa or submucosa beyond the critical state. Finally, the theoretical predictions and numerical simulations are compared to experimental observations.     

Oscillatory fracture paths in thin elastic sheets

We report a novel mode of quasi-static oscillatory crack propagation when a cutting tip of moderately large width is driven through a thin brittle polymer film. Experiments show that the amplitude and wavelength of the oscillatory crack paths scale linearly with the width of the cutting tip over a wide range of length scales but are independent of the width of the sheet and of the cutting speed. We propose a mechanism for this instability, based on the coupling between crack propagation and out-of-plane deformations of the film. To cite this article: B. Roman et al., C. R. Mecanique 331 (2003).     

The viscous curtain: General formulation and finite-element solution for the stability of flowing viscous sheets

The stability of thin viscous sheets has been studied so far in the special case where the base flow possesses a direction of invariance: the linear stability is then governed by an ordinary differential equation. We propose a mathematical formulation and a numerical method of solution that are applicable to the linear stability analysis of viscous sheets possessing no particular symmetry. The linear stability problem is formulated as a non-Hermitian eigenvalue problem in a 2D domain and is solved numerically using the finite-element method. Specifically, we consider the case of a viscous sheet in an open flow, which falls in a bath of fluid; the sheet is mildly stretched by gravity and the flow can become unstable by ‘curtain’ modes. The growth rates of these modes are calculated as a function of the fluid parameters and of the geometry, and a phase diagram is obtained. A transition is reported between a buckling mode (static bifurcation) and an oscillatory mode (Hopf bifurcation). The effect of surface tension is discussed.     

Constitutive modeling for anisotropic/asymmetric hardening behavior of magnesium alloy sheets

Magnesium alloy sheets have been extending their field of applications to automotive and electronic industries taking advantage of their excellent light weight property. In addition to well-known lower formability, magnesium alloys have unique mechanical properties which have not been thoroughly studied: high in-plane anisotropy/asymmetry of yield stress and hardening response. The reason of the unusual mechanical behavior of magnesium alloys has been understood by the limited symmetry crystal structure of HCP metals and thus by deformation twinning. In this paper, the phenomenological continuum plasticity models considering the unusual plastic behavior of magnesium alloy sheet were developed for a finite element analysis. A hardening law based on two-surface model was further extended to consider the general stress–strain response of metal sheets including Bauschinger effect, transient behavior and the unusual asymmetry. Three deformation modes observed during the continuous in-plane tension/compression tests were mathematically formulated with simplified relations between the state of deformation and their histories. In terms of the anisotropy and asymmetry of the initial yield stress, the Drucker–Prager’s pressure dependent yield surface was modified to include the anisotropy of magnesium alloy. The numerical formulations and characterization procedures were also presented and finally the correlation of simulation with measurements was performed to validate the proposed theory.     

From wrinkling to global buckling of a ring on a curved substrate

We present a combined analytical approach and numerical study on the stability of a ring bound to an annular elastic substrate, which contains a circular cavity. The system is loaded by depressurizing the inner cavity. The ring is modeled as an Euler–Bernoulli beam and its equilibrium equations are derived from the mechanical energy which takes into account both stretching and bending contributions. The curvature of the substrate is considered explicitly to model the work done by its reaction force on the ring. We distinguish two different instabilities: periodic wrinkling of the ring or global buckling of the structure. Our model provides an expression for the critical pressure, as well as a phase diagram that rationalizes the transition between instability modes. Towards assessing the role of curvature, we compare our results for the critical stress and the wrinkling wavelength to their planar counterparts. We show that the critical stress is insensitive to the curvature of the substrate, while the wavelength is only affected due to the permissible discrete values of the azimuthal wavenumber imposed by the geometry of the problem. Throughout, we contrast our analytical predictions against finite element simulations.     

Anisotropic buckling patterns in spheroidal film/substrate systems and their implications in some natural and biological systems

We establish a quantitative mechanics framework of elastic buckling of a spheroidal thin film/substrate system, which is highly relevant to the morphologies of quite a few natural and biological systems. The anisotropic stress-driven bifurcation is governed by the ratios between the effective size/thickness, the equatorial/polar radii, and the substrate/film moduli. The possibilities of manipulating the undulations through external constraints, anisotropic growth/material properties, and substrate geometry/structure are discussed. Analytical equations correlating the undulation characteristics with the geometry/material properties are derived. The quantitative mechanics framework established herein not only has important implications on the morphogenesis of various fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, tissues, and animal body parts, but also could guide the three-dimensional micro-fabrications via controlled self-assembly on curved substrate surfaces.     

Buckling analysis of a single-layer graphene sheet embedded in an elastic medium based on nonlocal Mindlin plate theory

The effect of length scale on buckling behavior of a single-layer graphene sheet embedded in a Pasternak elastic medium is investigated using a nonlocal Mindlin plate theory. An explicit solution is extracted for the buckling loads of graphene sheet and the influence of the nonlocal parameter and aspect ratio on dimensionless buckling loads is presented. It is found that the nonlocal assumptions exhibit larger buckling loads and stiffness of elastic medium in comparison to classical plate theory.     

Influence of local wrinkling on membrane behaviour: A new approach by the technique of slowly variable Fourier coefficients

In this paper, a new technique using slowly variable Fourier coefficients and the asymptotic Landau-Ginzburg approach are re-discussed and compared. The aim is to define simple macroscopic models describing the influence of local wrinkling on membrane behaviour. This question is analyzed by considering the simple example of a beam resting on a non-linear Winkler foundation.     

A Critical Review of Vlasov's General Theory of Stability of In-Plane Bending of Thin-Walled Elastic Beams

In Vlasov's approach to the problem of stability of thin-walled elastic beams of open cross section simultaneously subjected to transverse bending and to centric compression or tension, a certain inconsistency in derivation of differential equations of stability has been noticed. A consistently carried through derivation leads to equations that differ from Vlasov's ones. The comparison of Vlasov's equations with the results achieved by the classics in the field and by the more recent authors reveals good correspondence. The equations obtained by a consistent derivation, instead, turn out to be correspondent with the equations obtained by the classics Timoshenko and Bleich and with Ojalvo's equations of a second-order theory which determines the orientation of normal planes with the line of shear centers and assumes the validity of the Wagner hypothesis. Sommario. Nellapproccio di Vlasov al problema di stabilita delle travi elastiche a parete sottile e sezione trasversale aperta, contemporaneamente soggete a flessione trasversale ed a pressione o trazione centrale, e stata notata una certa incoerenza nell derivazione delle equazioni differenziali di stabilita. Un procedimento coerente ci porta delle equazioni che si differenziano da quelle di Vlasov. It confronto tra le equazioni di Vlasovedi risultati ottenuti da autori classici e da quelli piu a recenti mostra che esiste un buon accordo, mentre e evidente che le equazioni, ottenute con il procediments coerente, collimano con le equazioni ottenute dai classici Timoshenko e Bleich e con le equazioni di Ojalvo della teoria del secondo ordine, che definisce lorientazione dei piani normali con la linea dei centri di taglio e che presuppone la validita della ipotesi di Wagner.