BEM for simulation of a 2D elastic body with randomly distributed circular inclusions

Based on our 2D BEM software THBEM2 which can be applied to the simulation of an elastic body with randomly distributed identical circular holes, a scheme of BEM for the simulation of elastic bodies with randomly distributed circular inclusions is proposed. The numerical examples given show that the boundary element method is more accurate and more effective than the finite element method for such a problem. The scheme presented can also be successfully used to estimate the effective elastic properties of composite materials. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 19772025).     

Effective elastic properties of doubly periodic array of inclusions of various shapes by the boundary element method

A rectangular cell of known boundary conditions is cut out from a medium containing the doubly periodic array of inclusions. The stress and strain relationship of the rectangular cell is obtained by using the classical boundary element methods. By matching the boundary condition requirements, the effective elastic properties of the doubly periodic array of inclusions can then be calculated. Numerical examples from the sub-domain boundary element method and the single domain boundary element method are compared and discussed. However, the present method cannot be readily extended to domains having circular or curved boundary parts.     

双周期分布圆形弹性夹杂平面热弹性问题

研究了含双周期分布圆形弹性夹杂的无限弹性平面在均匀拉伸和均匀温变下的弹性响应问题．运用Isida的区域单元法和复势函数的级数展开技术,将问题转化为线性方程组的求解．数值结果表明：相邻夹杂问距过大或过小都不利于减小界面应力,当相邻夹杂中心间距与夹杂半径之比为2．2～2．8时,界面剪切应力与环向应力的极大值最小;比值为2．5～3．5时,界面最大径向应力值最小;并且该比值范围不随两相材料弹性模量之比和热膨胀系数之比而变化．     

Dynamic stress intensity factors around two rectangular cracks in an infinite elastic plate under impact load

A dynamic problem for two equal rectangular cracks in an infinite elastic plate is considered. The two cracks are placed perpendicular to the plane surfaces of the plate. An incoming shock tensile stress is returned by the cracks. In the Laplace transform domain, the boundary conditions at the two sides of the plate are satisfied using the Fourier transform technique. The mixed boundary conditions are reduced to dual integral equations. Crack displacement is expanded in a series of functions which are zero outside of the cracks. The unknown coefficients in the series are determined by the Schmidt method. The stress intensity factors are defined in the Laplace transform domain and these are inverted using a numerical method.     

Stress concentrations in the particulate composite with transversely isotropic phases

The accurate series solution have been obtained of the elasticity theory problem for a transversely isotropic solid containing a finite or infinite periodic array of anisotropic spherical inclusions. The method of solution has been developed based on the multipole expansion technique. The basic idea of method consists in expansion the displacement vector into a series over the set of vectorial functions satisfying the governing equations of elastic equilibrium. The re-expansion formulae derived for these functions provide exact satisfaction of the interfacial boundary conditions. As a result, the primary spatial boundary-value problem is reduced to an infinite set of linear algebraic equations. The method has been applied systematically to solve for three models of composite, namely a single inclusion, a finite array of inclusions and an infinite periodic array of inclusions, respectively, embedded in a transversely isotropic solid. The numerical results are presented demonstrating that elastic properties mismatch, anisotropy degree, orientation of the anisotropy axes and interactions between the inclusions can produce significant local stress concentration and, thus, affect greatly the overall elastic behavior of composite.     

Loosening of elastic inclusions

A numerical method is presented for simulating the occurrence of localized slip and separation along the interfaces of multiple, randomly distributed, circular elastic inclusions in an infinite elastic plane. The method is an extension of a direct boundary integral approach previously described elsewhere for solving problems involving perfectly bonded circular inclusions. Here, we allow displacement discontinuities to develop along the inclusion/matrix interfaces in accordance with a linear Mohr–Coulomb yield condition combined with a tensile strength cut-off. The displacements, tractions, and displacement discontinuities on the inclusion boundaries are all represented by truncated Fourier series, and an explicit iterative algorithm is adopted to determine zones of slip and separation under the prevailing loading conditions. Several examples are given to demonstrate the accuracy and generality of the approach.     

Effective thermoelastic properties of graded doublyperiodic particulate matrix composites in varying externalstress fields

We consider a linear elastic composite medium, which consists of a homogeneousmatrix containing aligned ellipsoidal uncoated or coated inclusions arranged in a doubly periodicarray and subjected to inhomogeneous boundary conditions. The hypothesis of effective fieldhomogeneity near the inclusions is used. The general integral equation obtained reduces theanalysis of infinite number of inclusion problems to the analysis of a finite number of inclusions insome representative volume element (RVE) . The integral equation is solved by a modifiedversion of the Neumann series; the fast convergence of this method is demonstrated for concreteexamples. The nonlocal macroscopic constitutive equation relating the cell averages of stress andstrain is derived in explicit iterative form of an integral equation. A doubly periodic inclusion fieldin a finite ply subjected to a stress gradient along the functionally graded direction is considered.The stresses averaged over the cell are explicitly represented as functions of the boundaryconditions. Finally, the employed of proposed explicit relations for numerical simulations oftensors describing the local and nonlocal effective elastic properties of finite inclusion pliescontaining a simple cubic lattice of rigid inclusions and voids are considered. The local andnonlocal parts of average strains are estimated for inclusion plies of different thickness. Theboundary layers and scale effects for effective local and nonlocal effective properties as well as foraverage stresses will be revealed.     

应用边界积分法求圆形夹杂问题的解析解

边界元方法作为一种数值方法, 在各种科学工程问题中得到了广泛的应用.本文参考了边界元法的求解思路, 从Somigliana等式出发, 利用格林函数性质,得到了一种边界积分法, 使之可以用来寻求弹性问题的解析解.此边界积分法也可以从Betti互易定理得到. 应用此新方法, 求解了圆形夹杂问题.首先设定夹杂与基体之间完美连接, 将界面处的位移与应力按照傅里叶级数展开,根据问题的对称性与三角函数的正交性来简化假设, 减少待定系数的个数.其次选择合适的试函数(试函数满足位移单值条件以及无体力的线弹性力学问题的控制方程),应用边界积分法, 求得界面处的位移与应力的值. 然后再求解域内位移与应力.得到了问题的精确解析解, 当夹杂弹性模量为零或趋向于无穷大时,退化为圆孔或刚性夹杂问题的解析解. 求解过程表明,若问题的求解区域包含无穷远处时, 所取的试函数应满足无穷远处的边界条件.若求解区域包含坐标原点, 试函数在原点处位移与应力应是有限的.结果表明了此方法的有效性.      

Interaction between dislocation and two circular cylindrical inclusions

In this paper, the elastic field of the infinite homogeneous medium with two circular cylindrical inclusions under the action of a screw dislocation is investigated and the corresponding analytical solution is obtained. Here, the conformal mapping and the theorem of analytical continuation are used. From the results obtained, it can be seen that the elastic field depends on the shear moduli of individual phases, the geometric parameters of the system, and the position and relative slip of the screw dislocation. In addition, the corresponding specific cases are also considered in this paper when two circular cylindrical inclusions are tangent to each other and they are holes and/or rigid inclusions. Finally, numerical results are illustrated to show the interaction between the screw dislocation and two circular cylindrical inclusions.     

平面弹性中双圆柱夹杂问题的格林函数

通过复势法并结合共形映射、解析开拓、奇点分析、Cauchy积分公式、圆环域上的Laurent级数展开等技术的联合运用,给出了含有双圆柱异相夹杂的无限大弹性基体这种三相复合系统在受到面内集中力和刃型位错作用时的级数形式的精确解答。该奇点可以作用于基体上或两夹杂内部,当一刃型位错作用于基体上时,也推导了该位错与双圆柱夹杂的交互作用能以及作用于位错上的广义。所给出的算例验证了该弹性解答的正确性并直观显示出奇点与双圆柱夹杂的相互作用。     

Triply periodical particulate matrix compositesinvarying external stress fields

We consider a linear elastic composite medium, which consists of ahomogeneousmatrix containing aligned ellipsoidal uncoated or coated inclusions arranged in aperiodic arrayand subjected to inhomogeneous boundary conditions. The hypothesis of effectivefieldhomogeneity near the inclusions is used. The general integral equation obtained reducestheanalysis of infinite number of inclusion problems to the analysis of a finite number of inclusionsinsome representative volume element (RVE) . The integral equation is solved by theFouriertransform method as well as by the iteration method of the Neumann series ( first-orderapproximation) . The nonlocal macroscopic constitutive equation relating the unit cellaverages ofstress and strain is derived in explicit closed forms either of a differential equation ofasecond-order or of an integral equation. The employed of explicit relations fornumericalestimations of tensors describing the local and nonlocal effective elastic properties aswell asaverage stresses in the composites containing simple cubic lattices of rigid inclusions andvoids areconsidered.     

A novel hybrid finite element analysis of inplane singular elastic field around inclusion corners in elastic media

This paper deals with the inplane singular elastic field problems of inclusion corners in elastic media by an ad hoc hybrid-stress finite element method. A one-dimensional finite element method-based eigenanalysis is first applied to determine the order of singularity and the angular dependence of the stress and displacement field, which reflects elastic behavior around an inclusion corner. These numerical eigensolutions are subsequently used to develop a super element that simulates the elastic behavior around the inclusion corner. The super element is finally incorporated with standard four-node hybrid-stress elements to constitute an ad hoc hybrid-stress finite element method for the analysis of local singular stress fields arising from inclusion corners. The singular stress field is expressed by generalized stress intensity factors defined at the inclusion corner. The ad hoc finite element method is used to investigate the problem of a single rectangular or diamond inclusion in isotropic materials under longitudinal tension. Comparison with available numerical results shows the present method is an efficient mesh reducer and yields accurate stress distribution in the near-field region. As applications, the present ad hoc finite element method is extended to discuss the inplane singular elastic field problems of a single rectangular or diamond inclusion in anisotropic materials and of two interacting rectangular inclusions in isotropic materials. In the numerical analysis, the generalized stress intensity factors at the inclusion corner are systematically calculated for various material type, stiffness ratio, shape and spacing position of one or two inclusions in a plate subjected to tension and shear loadings.     

Bond stresses for a composite material reinforced with various arrays of fibers

The problem treated here is that of an isotropic body having a doubly periodic rectangular or triangular array of perfectly bonded circular elastic inclusions. The body is in tension or compression. This simulates a composite material wherein a relatively weak matrix is reinforced by stronger (and more rigid) fibers. Bond stresses for both rectangular and triangular arrays have been calculated using either boundary point matching or boundary point least squares techniques. Numerical results based on a plane strain analysis are given in graphical form.     

Asymptotic determination of effective elastic properties of composite materials with fibrous square-shaped inclusions

We propose an asymptotic approach for evaluating effective elastic properties of two-components periodic composite materials with fibrous inclusions. We start with a nontrivial expansion of the input elastic boundary value problem by ratios of elastic constants. This allows to simplify the governing equations to forms analogous to the transport problem. Then we apply an asymptotic homogenization method, coming from the original problem on a multi-connected domain to a so called cell problem, defined on a characterizing unit cell of the composite. If the inclusions' volume fraction tends to zero, the cell problem is solved by means of a boundary perturbation approach. When on the contrary the inclusions tend to touch each other we use an asymptotic expansion by non-dimensional distance between two neighbouring inclusions. Finally, the obtained “limiting” solutions are matched via two-point Padé approximants. As the results, we derive uniform analytical representations for effective elastic properties. Also local distributions of physical fields may be calculated. In some partial cases the proposed approach gives a possibility to establish a direct analogy between evaluations of effective elastic moduli and transport coefficients. As illustrative examples we consider transversally-orthotropic composite materials with fibres of square cross section and with square checkerboard structure. The obtained results are in good agreement with data of other authors.     

On the stiffness of materials containing a disordered array of microscopic holes or hard inclusions

We study the macroscopic mechanical behavior of materials with microscopic holes or hard inclusions. Specifically, we deal with the effective elastic moduli of composites whose microgeometry consists of either soft or hard isolated inclusions surrounded by an elastic matrix. We approach this problem by taking the stiffness of the inclusion phase to be a complex variable, which we eventually evaluate at the soft or hard limits. Our main result states that there is a certain class of non-physical, negative-definite values of the elastic moduli of the inclusion phase for which the effective tensor does not have infinities or become otherwise singular.We present applications of this result to the estimation of effective moduli and to homogenization theorems. The first application involves using complexanalytic methods to obtain rigorous and accurate bounds on the effective moduli of the high-contrast composites under consideration. We also discuss the variational estimates of Rubenfeld & Keller, which yield a complementary set of bounds on these moduli. The best bounds are given by a combination of the analytical and variational results. As a second application, we show that certain known theorems of homogenization for materials with holes are simple consequences of our main result, and in this connection we establish corresponding new theorems for materials with hard inclusions. While our rederivation of the homogenization theorems for materials with holes can be closely related to other known constructions, it appears that certain elements provided by our main result are essential in the proof of homogenization for the hard-inclusion case.     

On multiple circular inclusions in plane magnetoelasticity

A general series solution to the magnetoelastic problem of interacting circular inclusions in plane magnetoelasticity is provided in this paper. By the use of complex variable theory and Laurent series expansion method, the general expression of the magnetic and the magnetoelastic complex potentials for the circular inclusion problem is derived. Expanding the definition of the Airy’s stress function of pure elastic field into the magnetoelastic field and applying the superposition method, the general expression then can be reduced to a set of linear algebraic equations and solved in a series form. An approximate closed form solution for the case of two arbitrarily located inclusions is also provided. For illustrating the effect of the pertinent parameters, the numerical results of the interfacial magnetoelastic stresses are displayed in graphic form.     

Surface tension-induced stress concentration around a nanosized hole of arbitrary shape in an elastic half-plane

This paper studies surface tension-induced stress concentration around a nanosized hole of arbitrary shape inside an elastic half-plane. Of particular interest is the maximum hoop stress on the hole’s boundary with relation to the point of maximum curvature and the distance between the hole and the free surface of the half-plane. The shape of the hole is characterized by a conformal mapping which maps the exterior of the hole onto the exterior of the unit circle in the image plane. On using the technique of conformal mapping and analytic continuation, the complex potentials of the half-plane are expressed in a series form with unknown coefficients to be determined by Fourier expansion method. Detailed numerical results are shown for elliptical, triangular, square and rectangular holes. Two basic conclusions are that the hoop stress increases with decreasing hole size and the maximum hoop stress generally appears nearby but not exactly at the point of maximum curvature. In addition, it is shown that the hoop stress nearby the point of maximum curvature on the hole’s boundary increases rapidly with decreasing distance between the hole and the free surface of the half-plane. On the other hand, if the distance between the hole and the free surface is more than three times the hole size, the effect of the free surface on the stress concentration around the hole is ignorable and the elastic half-plane can be treated approximately as an elastic whole plane.     

The solution of a crack emanating from an arbitrary hole by boundary collocation method

In this paper a group of stress functions has been proposed for the calculation of a crack emanating from a hole with different shape (including circular, elliptical, rectangular, or rhombic hole) by boundary collocation method. The calculation results show that they coincide very well with the existing solutions by other methods for a circular or elliptical hole with a crack in an infinite plate. At the smae time, a series of results for different holes in a finite plate has also been obtained in this paper. The proposed functions and calculation procedure can be used for a plate of a crack emanating from an arbitrary hole.     

Long wavelength inner-resonance cut-off frequencies in elastic composite materials

We revisit an ancient paper (Auriault and Bonnet, 1985) which points out the existence of cut-off frequencies for long acoustic wavelength in high-contrast elastic composite materials, i.e. when the wavelength is large with respect to the characteristic heterogeneity length. The separation of scales enables the use of the method of multiple scale expansions for periodic structures, a powerful upscaling technique from the heterogeneity scale to the wavelength scale. However, the results remain valid for non-periodic composite materials which show a Representative Elementary Volume (REV). The paper extends the previous investigations to three-component composite materials made of hard inclusions, coated with a soft material, both of arbitrary geometry, and embedded in a connected stiff material. The equivalent macroscopic models are rigorously established as well as their domains of validity. Provided that the stiffness contrast within the soft and the connected stiff materials is of the order of the squared separation of scales parameter, it is demonstrated (i) that the propagation of long wave may coincide with the resonance frequencies of the hard inclusions/soft material system and (ii) that the macroscopic model presents a series of cut-off frequencies given by an eigenvalue problem for the resonating domain in the cell. These results are illustrated in the case of stratified composites and the possible microstructures of heterogeneous media in which the inner dynamics phenomena may occur are discussed.     

In-plane/out-of-plane concentrated forces and moments on composite laminates with elliptical elastic inclusions

The problems of composite laminates containing elliptical elastic inclusions subjected to concentrated forces and moments are considered in this paper. By employing Stroh-like formalism for the coupled stretching–bending analysis, analytical closed form solutions are obtained explicitly. The generality of the solutions provided in this paper can be shown as follows: (1) The laminates include any kinds of laminate lay-ups, symmetric or unsymmetric, which allow the stretching and bending deformations couple each other. (2) The concentrated forces and moments can be applied in in-plane and/or out-of-plane directions, located inside and/or outside the inclusions. (3) The elliptical elastic inclusions can be any kinds of elastic materials including the limiting cases such as holes, rigid inclusions, cracks, line inclusions, etc. Since no such general solution has been found in the literature, the solutions are checked and verified by the special cases that no inclusions are embedded in the laminates, and that the inclusions are replaced by holes. Moreover, with various hardness ratios of inclusion and matrix some numerical examples showing the stress resultants along the interface are presented. Like the Green’s functions for the infinite laminates and those containing holes/cracks, the present solutions associated with the in-plane concentrated forces and out-of-plane concentrated moments have exactly the same mathematical form as those of the corresponding two-dimensional problems, in which the only difference is the contents of the symbols. While for the other loading cases, new types of solutions are obtained explicitly.