Scattering of elastic waves in an elastic matrix containing an inclusion with interfaces

Based on the theory of elastic dynamics, the scattering of elastic waves and dynamic stress concentration in fiber-reinforced composite with interfaces are studied. Analytical expressions of elastic waves in different medium areas are presented and an analytic method of solving this problem is established. The mode coefficients are determined by means of the continuous conditions of displacement and stress on the boundary of the interfaces. The influence of material properties and structural size on the dynamic stress concentration factors near the interfaces is analyzed. It indicates that they have a great influence on the dynamic properties of fiber-reinforced composite. As examples, numerical results of dynamic stress concentration factors near the interfaces are presented and discussed. This paper provides reliable theoretical evidence for the study of dynamic properties in fiber-reinforced composite. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 19972018).     

Elastic wave scattering and dynamic stress in composite with fiber

IntroductionTheproblemofscatteringofelasticwavesinsolidstructureshasnotonlytheoreticalsignificancebutalsowideoutlookinengineering .Thisproblemhasabsorbedmanypeople’sattentionsinmanyfieldssuchasaeronautics,compositemechanics,civilengineeringandearthquakeengineering[1～ 3 ] .Thepropagatingvelocityanddirectionofelasticwaveareinvariableasitpropagatesinaninfiniteuniformmedium .Butscatteringofelasticwavescanoccurifthereexistsincontinuitysuchasinclusion ,crackandcavityinelasticmedium .Fiber_reinfor…     

Homogenization towards a mechanistic Rigid Body and Spring Model (HRBSM) for the non-linear dynamic analysis of 3D masonry structures

A mechanistic model with rigid elements and interfaces suitable for the non-linear dynamic analysis of full scale 3D masonry buildings is presented. The model relies into two steps: in the first step, a simplified homogenization is performed at the meso-scale to deduce the mechanical properties of a macroscopic material, to be used in structural applications; the second step relies into the implementation of a Rigid Body and Spring Model (RBSM) constituted by rigid elements linked with homogenized interfaces. In the homogenization step, a running bond elementary cell is discretized with 24 three-node plane-stress elastic triangular elements and non-linear interfaces representing mortar joints. It is shown how the mechanical problem in the unit cell is characterized by few displacement variables and how homogenized stress–strain curves can be evaluated by means of a semi-analytical approach. The second step relies on the implementation of the homogenized curves into a RBSM, where an entire masonry structure can be analyzed in the non-linear dynamic range through a discretization with rigid elements and inelastic interfaces. Non-linear structural analyses are conducted on a church façade interconnected with a portion of the perpendicular walls and on a small masonry building, for which experimental and numerical data are available in the literature, in order to show how quite reliable results may be obtained with a limited computational effort.     

MULTIPLE SCATTERING AND DYNAMIC STRESS ANALYSIS OF ELASTIC WAVES IN A FIBER—REINFORCED COMPOSITE WITH INTERFACES

Based on the theory of elastic dynamics, multiple scattering of elastic waves and dynamic stress concentrations in fiber-reinforced composite are studied. The analytical expressions of elastic waves in different regions are presented. The mode coefficients of elastic waves are determined in accordance with the continuous conditions of displacement and stress on the boundary of the multi-interfaces. By using the addition theorem of Hankel functions, the formula of scattered wave fields in different local coordinates are transformed into those in one local coordinate to determine the unknown coefficients and dynamic stress concentration factors (DSCFs). The influences of the distance between two inclusions, material properties and structural size on the DSCFs near the interfaces are analyzed. As examples, the numerical results of DSCFs near the interfaces for two kinds of fiber-reinforced composites are presented and discussed. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (19972018)     

Discrete and continuous models for in plane loaded random elastic brickwork

The aim of this paper is to study non-periodic masonries – typical of historical buildings – by means of a perturbation approach and to evaluate the effect of a random perturbation on the elastic response of a periodic masonry wall. The random masonry is obtained starting from a periodic running bond pattern. A random perturbation on the horizontal positions of the vertical interfaces between the blocks which form the masonry wall is introduced. In this way, the height of the blocks is uniform, while their width in the horizontal direction is random. The perturbation is limited such as each block has still exactly 6 neighboring blocks. In a first discrete model, the blocks are modeled as rigid bodies connected by elastic interfaces (mortar thin joints). In other words, masonry is seen as a “skeleton” in which the interactions between the rigid blocks are represented by forces and moments which depend on their relative displacements and rotations. A second continuous model is based on the homogenization of the discrete model. Explicit upper and lower bounds on the effective elastic moduli of the homogenized continuous model are obtained and compared to the well-known effective elastic moduli of the regular periodic masonry. It is found that the effective moduli are not very sensitive to the random perturbation (less than 10%). At the end, the Monte Carlo simulation method is used to compare the discrete random model and the continuous model at the structural level (a panel undergoing in plane actions). The randomness of the geometry requires the generation of several samples of size L of the discrete masonry. For a sample of size L, the structural discrete problem is solved using the same numerical procedure adopted in [Cecchi, A., Sab, K., 2004. A comparison between a 3D discrete model and two homogenized plate models for periodic elastic brickwork, International Journal of Solids Structures 41 (9–10), 2259–2276] and the average solution over the samples gives an estimation which depends on L. As L increases, an asymptotic limit is reached. One issue is to find the minimum size for L and to compare the asymptotic average solution to the one obtained from the continuous homogenized model.     

Stiffness and strength of hierarchical polycrystalline materials with imperfect interfaces

In this study we investigate the effect of imperfect (not perfectly bonded) interfaces on the stiffness and strength of hierarchical polycrystalline materials. As a case study we consider a honeycomb cellular polycrystal used for drilling and cutting tools. The conclusions of the analysis are, however, general and applicable to any material with structural hierarchy. Regarding the stiffness, generalized expressions for the Voigt and Reuss estimates of the bounds to the effective elastic modulus of heterogeneous materials are derived. The generalizations regard two aspects that are not included in the standard Reuss and Voigt estimates. The first novelty consists in considering finite thickness interfaces between the constituents undergoing damage up to final debonding. The second generalization consists of interfaces not perpendicular or parallel to the loading direction, i.e., when isostress or isostrain conditions are not satisfied. In this case, approximate expressions for the effective elastic modulus are obtained by performing a computational homogenization approach. In the second part of the paper, the homogenized response of a representative volume element (RVE) of the honeycomb cellular polycrystalline material with one or two levels of hierarchy is numerically investigated. This is put forward by using the cohesive zone model (CZM) for finite thickness interfaces recently proposed by the authors and implemented in the finite element program FEAP. From tensile tests we find that the interface nonlinearity significantly contributes to the deformability of the material. Increasing the number of hierarchical levels, the deformability increases. The RVE is tested in two different directions and, due to different orientations of the interfaces and Mixed Mode deformation, anisotropy in stiffness and strength is observed. Stiffness anisotropy is amplified by increasing the number of hierarchical levels. Finally, the interaction between interfaces at different hierarchical levels is numerically characterized. A condition for scale separation, which corresponds to the independence of the material tensile strength from the properties of the interfaces in the second level, is established. When this condition is fulfilled, the material microstructure at the second level can be efficiently replaced by an effective homogeneous continuum with a homogenized stress–strain response. From the engineering point of view, the proposed criterion of scale separation suggests how to design the optimal microstructure of a hierarchical level to maximize the material tensile strength. An interpretation of this phenomenon according to the concept of flaw tolerance is finally presented.     

A discrete-fibers model for bridged cracks and reinforced elliptical voids

A model of crack bridging and reinforced elliptical voids is proposed, in which the fibers joining the surfaces of the void or crack are modelled as discrete, linear elastic bars. We show that a theory recently developed by us to analyze structural interfaces permits analytical attack and solution of multiple important previously unsolved problems of stress concentration and fracture. In particular, an analytical solution is provided for a reinforced elliptical void, which, by superposition, allows treatment of arbitrary fiber distributions, which can be even randomly distributed and oriented. In the special case of small or null ratio between a void's axes, new stress intensity factor expressions are obtained, which account for fibers’ inclination and geometry.     

The axisymmetric double contact problem for a frictionless elastic layer

The general axisymmetric double contact problem for an elastic layer pressed against a half space by an elastic stamp is considered. The problem is solved under the assumptions that the three materials have different elastic properties, the contact along the interfaces is frictionless and only compressive normal tractions can be transmitted across the interfaces, and, in the case of the elastic stamp, the local radius of curvature of the stamp is large compared to the stamp-layer contact radius. The problem is reduced to a system of singular integral equations in which the contact pressures are the unknown functions. The solution is obtained and extensive numerical results are given for three stamp geometries, namely, rigid and elastic spherical stamps, and a flat-ended rigid cylindrical stamp. The results show that in the case of a flat-ended rigid cylindrical stamp the radius b of the contact area between the layer and the subspace is independent of the magnitude P of the total transmitted load and in all other cases b will depend on P.     

Analysis of tapered ENF specimen and characterization of bonded interface fracture under Mode-II loading

An engineering approach for evaluating the shear-mode (Mode-II) fracture toughness of wood–wood and wood-composite bonded interfaces is presented. A tapered beam on elastic foundation model is developed to analyze and design a linear tapered end-notched flexure (TENF) specimen for fracture tests of bonded interfaces. The elastic foundation model is verified numerically by finite element analysis and experimentally by compliance calibration tests, which demonstrate that the present model can accurately predict the compliance and compliance rate-change of the specimen, and with proper design, an approximate constant rate of compliance change with respect to crack length can be achieved. The proposed TENF specimen can be used for Mode-II fracture toughness evaluations with reasonable confidence in the linearity of compliance crack-length relationship. The fracture of wood–wood and wood-composite bonded interfaces under Mode-II loading is experimentally evaluated using the proposed TENF specimen, and the corresponding values of critical strain energy release rate are obtained. The modeling technique and testing method presented can be efficiently used for characterization of Mode-II fracture of bonded bimaterial interfaces.     

Backward Transfer-Matrix Method for Elastic Analysis of Layered Solids with Imperfect Bonding

This paper presents a backward transfer-matrix method for the elastic analysis of layered solids with an imperfect bonding at the layer interfaces. Literature review reveals that the conventional transfer-matrix method has an intrinsic fault which leads to ill-conditioned matrices for thick layers and accumulative numerical errors for a large number of layers and that there are a few publications available in the relevant literature regarding analytical analysis of layered solids by taking into account the effects of imperfectly bonded interfaces. The backward transfer-matrix method adopted in this paper completely overcomes the ill-posedness associated with the conventional transfer-matrix method and fully retains the highest efficiency of the classical transfer-matrix concept for analytical formulation of solutions in layered elastic solids with imperfectly bonded interfaces. Numerical results indicate that there is no problem in the numerical evaluation of the solutions with high accuracy and efficiency, and that the interfacial bonding conditions have a significant effect on the elastic response of layered solids due to external loading. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Structural interfaces in linear elasticity. Part II: Effective properties and neutrality

The model of structural interfaces developed in Part I of this paper allows us to analytically attack and solve different problems of stress concentration and composites. In particular, (i) new formulae are given for effective properties of composite materials containing dilute suspensions of (randomly oriented) reinforced elliptical voids or inclusions; (ii) a new definition is proposed for inclusion neutrality (to account for the fact that the matrix is always ‘overstressed’, and thus non-neutral in a classical sense, at the contacts with the interfacial structure), which is shown to provide interesting stress optimality conditions. More generally, it is shown that the incorporation of an interfacial structure at the contact between two elastic solids exhibits properties that cannot be obtained using the more conventional approach of the zero-thickness, linear interface. For instance: contrary to the zero-thickness interface, both bulk and shear effective moduli can be optimized for a structural interface; effective properties higher that those possible with a perfect interface can be attained with a structural interface; and neutrality holds with a structural interface for a substantially broader range of parameters than for a zero-thickness interface.     

Discontinuous wave fronts propagation in anisotropic layered media

The problem of dynamic interaction of wave phase fronts with anisotropic elastic media interfaces is considered. A technique based on joint use of the ray theory, locally plane approach and theory of stereomechanical impact is elaborated. It is employed for the investigation of discontinuous waves propagation in anisotropic tectonic structures. The cases of interaction of quasi-longitudinal and quasi-shear discontinuous waves with the interfaces separating different anisotropic elastic media are treated. The issues are considered which are associated with the wave front surfaces bifurcations, generation of their singularities and caustics, as well as with stress concentration and formation of zones where the stresses tend to infinity.     

Adhesive joints and interfaces of linear elastic bodies in loading and unloading. Semicoercive hemivariational inequalities

The present paper deals with the behaviour of adhesive joints and of interfaces in elastic bodies. Especially the possibility of debonding effects in loading conditions is considered.The joints and/or interfaces are simulated by nonmonotone, possibly multivalued stress-strain laws expressed by nonconvex superpotentials. The variational formulation of the problem is a hemivariational inequality which is studied concerning the existence and the approximation of the solution. Both the coercive and the semicoercive cases are studied.     

Second-harmonic generation in an infinite layered structure with nonlinear spring-type interfaces

The second-harmonic generation characteristics in the elastic wave propagation across an infinite layered structure consisting of identical linear elastic layers and nonlinear spring-type interlayer interfaces are analyzed theoretically. The interlayer interfaces are assumed to have identical linear interfacial stiffness but can have different quadratic nonlinearity parameters. Using a perturbation approach and the transfer-matrix method, an explicit analytical expression is derived for the second-harmonic amplitude when the layered structure is impinged by a monochromatic fundamental wave. The analysis shows that the second-harmonic generation behavior depends significantly on the fundamental frequency reflecting the band structure of the layered structure. Two special cases are discussed in order to demonstrate such dependence, i.e., the second-harmonic generation by a single nonlinear interface as well as by multiple consecutive nonlinear interfaces. In particular, when the second-harmonic generation occurs at multiple consecutive nonlinear interfaces, the cumulative growth of the second-harmonic amplitude with distance is only expected in certain frequency ranges where the fundamental as well as the double frequencies belong to the pass bands of the layered structure. Furthermore, a remarkable increase of the second-harmonic amplitude is found near the terminating edge of pass bands. Approximate expressions for the low-frequency range are also obtained, which show the cumulative growth of the second-harmonic amplitude with quadratic frequency dependence.     

Work input for unsaturated elastic porous media

The work input for unsaturated elastic porous media is investigated based on averaged conservation equations for phases, interfaces, and common curves. In this analysis, the interfaces between the air-water interfaces are allowed to move and the surface tension appears explicitly in the analysis. Expressions for the work of the solid alone and for the medium are obtained. Conditions under which the result obtained here for the medium reduces to a more traditional expression are indicated. In this analysis, a form of the solid phase stress tensor, recently derived within the framework of thermodynamically constrained averaging theory for phase and interface properties, is used.     

Optimal prestress of structures with frictional unilateral contact interfaces

Summary The problem of optimal prestress stabilization of elastic structures with frictional contact interfaces subject to static loads is studied in this paper. A linear elastic structure with given unilateral contact at frictional interfaces is considered. The prestressing control is modelled by the pin-load method. The static problem is formulated as a nonsymmetric variational inequality. The goal of the optimal control design is closing of the unilateral contact joints as well as minimization of the friction induced slips with a minimum effort. The resulting optimal control problem is nonsmooth and nonconvex, as it concerns the control of structures governed by variational inequalities. Appropriate techniques of nonsmooth analysis are used for its numerical solution. Effective computer realization and integration into existing finite element software is facilitated by appropriate static condensation techniques, which are outlined in the paper. Numerical examples illustrate the theory.     

Micromechanics-based elastic damage modeling of particulate composites with weakened interfaces

A micromechanical framework is proposed to predict the effective elastic behavior and weakened interface evolution of particulate composites. The Eshelby’s tensor for an ellipsoidal inclusion with slightly weakened interface [Qu, J., 1993a. Eshelby tensor for an elastic inclusion with slightly weakened interfaces. Journal of Applied Mechanics 60 (4), 1048–1050; Qu, J., 1993b. The effect of slightly weakened interfaces on the overall elastic properties of composite materials. Mechanics of Materials 14, 269–281] is adopted to model spherical particles having imperfect interfaces in the composites and is incorporated into the micromechanical framework. Based on the Eshelby’s micromechanics, the effective elastic moduli of three-phase particulate composites are derived. A damage model is subsequently considered in accordance with the Weibull’s probabilistic function to characterize the varying probability of evolution of weakened interface between the inclusion and the matrix. The proposed micromechanical elastic damage model is applied to the uniaxial, biaxial and triaxial tensile loadings to predict the various stress–strain responses. Comparisons between the present predictions with other numerical and analytical predictions and available experimental data are conducted to assess the potential of the present framework.     

Analytic model of deformation of construction interfaces of rolled control concrete dam

The construction interfaces of RCCD have a distinct influence on the deformation of dams. The characters and rules on deformation of construction interfaces are studied. The methods simulating the deformation of the interfaces at different stages are proposed. A thickness analytic model and a no-thickness analytic model of construction interfaces are built. These models can reflect the elastic deformation, the attenuation creep deformation, the irreversible creep deformation and the accelerating creep defor- mation of interfaces. The example shows that these proposed models can simulate the deformation of the dam structure objectively. Especially, the results of the thickness analytic model which simulates the gradual changing regularities of interfaces can tally with those of monitoring in situ preferably. The methods proposed and the analytic models can be generalized and applied to general concrete dams, especially to the analysis on deformation rules of fault and interlayer in dam base.     

A simple meso-macro model based on SQP for the non-linear analysis of masonry double curvature structures

A 3D model for the evaluation of the non-linear behavior of masonry double curvature structures is presented. In the model, the heterogeneous assemblage of blocks is substituted with a macroscopically equivalent homogeneous non-linear material. At the meso-scale, a curved running bond representative element of volume (REV) constituted by a central block interconnected with its six neighbors is discretized through of a few six-noded rigid wedge elements and rectangular interfaces. Non linearity is concentrated exclusively on joints reduced to interface, exhibiting a frictional behavior with limited tensile and compressive strength with softening. The macroscopic homogenous masonry behavior is then evaluated on the REV imposing separately increasing internal actions (in-plane membrane actions, meridian and parallel bending, torsion and out-of-plane shear). This simplified approach allows to estimate heuristically the macroscopic stress–strain behavior of masonry at the meso-scale. The non-linear behavior so obtained is then implemented at a structural level in a novel FE non-linear code, relying on an assemblage of rigid infinitely resistant six-noded wedge elements and non-linear interfaces, exhibiting deterioration of the mechanical properties.Several numerical examples are analyzed, consisting of two different typologies of masonry arches (a parabolic vault and an arch in a so-called “skew” disposition), a ribbed cross vault, a hemispherical dome and a cloister vault. To fully assess numerical results, additional non-linear FE analyses are presented. In particular, a simplified model is proposed, which relies in performing at a structural level a preliminary limit analysis – which allows to identify the failure mechanism – and subsequently in modeling masonry through elastic elements and non-linear interfaces placed only in correspondence or near the failure mechanism provided by limit analysis. Simulations performed through an equivalent macroscopic material with orthotropic behavior and possible softening are also presented, along with existing experimental evidences (where available), in order to have a full insight into the capabilities and limitations of the approach proposed.