Computational model for short-fiber composites with eigenstrain formulation of boundary integral equations

A computational model is proposed for short-fiber reinforced materials with the eigenstrain formulation of the boundary integral equations （BIE） and solved with the newly developed boundary point method （BPM）. The model is closely derived from the concept of the equivalent inclusion Of Eshelby tensors. Eigenstrains are iteratively determined for each short-fiber embedded in the matrix with various properties via the Eshelby tensors, which can be readily obtained beforehand either through analytical or numerical means. As unknown variables appear only on the boundary of the solution domain, the solution scale of the inhomogeneity problem with the model is greatly reduced. This feature is considered significant because such a traditionally time-consuming problem with inhomogeneity can be solved most cost-effectively compared with existing numerical models of the FEM or the BEM. The numerical examples are presented to compute the overall elastic properties for various short-fiber reinforced composites over a representative volume element （RVE）, showing the validity and the effectiveness of the proposed computational modal and the solution procedure.     

Two-dimensional polynomial eigenstrain formulation of boundary integral equation with numerical verification

The low-order polynomial-distributed eigenstrain formulation of the boundary integral equation (BIE) and the corresponding definition of the Eshelby tensors are proposed for the elliptical inhomogeneities in two-dimensional elastic media. Taking the results of the traditional subdomain boundary element method (BEM) as the control, the effectiveness of the present algorithm is verified for the elastic media with a single elliptical inhomogeneity. With the present computational model and algorithm, significant improvements are achieved in terms of the efficiency as compared with the traditional BEM and the accuracy as compared with the constant eigenstrain formulation of the BIE.     

Solutions of inhomogeneity problems with graded shells and application to core-shell nanoparticles and composites

This paper first presents the Eshelby tensors and stress concentration tensors for a spherical inhomogeneity with a graded shell embedded in an alien infinite matrix. The solution is then specialized to inhomogeneous inclusions in finite spherical domains with fixed displacement or traction-free boundary conditions. The Eshelby tensors in the infinite and finite domains and the stress concentration tensors are especially useful for solving many problems in mechanics and materials science. This is demonstrated on two examples. In the first example, the strain distributions in core-shell nanoparticles with eigenstrains induced by lattice mismatches are calculated using the Eshelby tensors in the finite domains. In the second example, the Eshelby and stress concentration tensors in the three-phase configuration are used to formulate the generalized self-consistent prediction of the effective moduli of composites containing spherical particles within the framework of the equivalent inclusion method. The advantage of this micromechanical scheme is that, whilst its predictions are almost identical to the classical generalized self-consistent method and the third-order approximation, the expressions for the effective moduli have simple closed forms.     

Solution of Eshelby's inclusion problem with a bounded domain and Eshelby's tensor for a spherical inclusion in a finite spherical matrix based on a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory

A solution for Eshelby's inclusion problem of a finite homogeneous isotropic elastic body containing an inclusion prescribed with a uniform eigenstrain and a uniform eigenstrain gradient is derived in a general form using a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory (SSGET). An extended Betti's reciprocal theorem and an extended Somigliana's identity based on the SSGET are proposed and utilized to solve the finite-domain inclusion problem. The solution for the disturbed displacement field is expressed in terms of the Green's function for an infinite three-dimensional elastic body in the SSGET. It contains a volume integral term and a surface integral term. The former is the same as that for the infinite-domain inclusion problem based on the SSGET, while the latter represents the boundary effect. The solution reduces to that of the infinite-domain inclusion problem when the boundary effect is not considered. The problem of a spherical inclusion embedded concentrically in a finite spherical elastic body is analytically solved by applying the general solution, with the Eshelby tensor and its volume average obtained in closed forms. This Eshelby tensor depends on the position, inclusion size, matrix size, and material length scale parameter, and, as a result, can capture the inclusion size and boundary effects, unlike existing Eshelby tensors. It reduces to the classical Eshelby tensor for the spherical inclusion in an infinite matrix if both the strain gradient and boundary effects are suppressed. Numerical results quantitatively show that the inclusion size effect can be quite large when the inclusion is very small and that the boundary effect can dominate when the inclusion volume fraction is very high. However, the inclusion size effect is diminishing as the inclusion becomes large enough, and the boundary effect is vanishing as the inclusion volume fraction gets sufficiently low.     

Stress fields and Eshelby forces on half-plane inhomogeneities with eigenstrains and strip inclusions meeting a free surface

The stress field due to a half-plane inhomogeneity with plane eigenstrain is obtained by a limiting procedure from the one of a circular Eshelby inhomogeneity/inclusion. This field, which requires tractions to be applied at infinity to be sustained, has minimum strain energy versus any other superposed homogeneous one, and is the Eshelby solution inside plus the Hill jump conditions. By superposition, the stresses due to an infinite strip (Eshelby property domain) inhomogeneity with eigenstrain are obtained, and, by superposition periodic strips or laminates can be obtained. By cancelling the stresses on a free-surface, strips of inclusions meeting a free surface are solved. They exhibit tensile stresses under the free surface, and logarithmic singularities in the tensile stress at the vertex, which may initiate cracking. The Eshelby self-forces on the boundary of circular and half-plane inhomogeneities are computed.     

Electroelastic behavior modeling of piezoelectric composite materials containing spatially oriented reinforcements

In this work, a modeling of electroelastic composite materials is proposed. The extension of the heterogeneous inclusion problem of Eshelby for elastic to electroelastic behavior is formulated in terms of four interaction tensors related to Eshelby’s electroelastic tensors. Analytical formulations of interaction tensors are presented for ellipsoidal inclusions. These tensors are basically used to derive the self-consistent model, Mori–Tanaka and dilute approaches. Numerical solutions are based on numerical computations of these tensors for various types of inclusions. Using the obtained results, effective electroelastic moduli of piezoelectric multiphase composites are investigated by an iterative procedure in the context of self-consistent scheme. Generalised Mori–Tanaka’s model and dilute approach are re-formulated and the three models are deeply analysed. Concentration tensors corresponding to each model are presented and relationships of effective coefficients are given. Numerical results of effective electroelastic moduli are presented for various types of piezoelectric inclusions and for various orientations and compared to existing experimental and theoretical ones.     

Eshebly tensors for a finite spherical domain with an axisymmetric inclusion

In recent papers the finite Eshelby tensors for a concentrically placed spherical inclusion in a finite spherical domain have been computed and applied to numerous micromechanical problems. The present work is the extension of the computation of finite Eshelby tensors to general inclusions that are axisymmetric with respect to enclosing spherical domain. The problem of finding the finite Eshelby tensors is transformed into the integral equation. It is shown in the paper that the integral equation has a unique solution. Existence of the solution is proved by exploiting the symmetry of the problem which induce invariant subspaces of the integral equation. In the particular case for a excentrically placed spherical inclusion the problem is explicitly solved. Using computer algebra the solution is found in a closed form up to the second order.     

The second Eshelby problem and its solvability

It is still a challenge to clarify the dependence of overall elastic properties of heterogeneous materials on the microstructures of non-elliposodal inhomogeneities (cracks, pores, foreign particles). From the theory of elasticity, the formulation of the perturbance elastic fields, coming from a non-ellipsoidal inhomogeneity embedded in an infinitely extended material with remote constant loading, inevitably involve one or more integral equations. Up to now, due to the mathematical difficulty, there is almost no explicit analytical solution obtained except for the ellipsoidal inhomogeneity. In this paper, we point out the impossibility to transform this inhomogeneity problem into a conventional Eshelby problem by the equivalent inclusion method even if the eigenstrain is chosen to be non-uniform. We also build up an equivalent model, called the second Eshelby problem, to investigate the perturbance stress. It is probably a better template to make use of the profound methods and results of conventional Eshelby problems of non-ellipsoidal inclusions.     

Eshelby's problem of non-elliptical inclusions

The Eshelby problem consists in determining the strain field of an infinite linearly elastic homogeneous medium due to a uniform eigenstrain prescribed over a subdomain, called inclusion, of the medium. The salient feature of Eshelby's solution for an ellipsoidal inclusion is that the strain tensor field inside the latter is uniform. This uniformity has the important consequence that the solution to the fundamental problem of determination of the strain field in an infinite linearly elastic homogeneous medium containing an embedded ellipsoidal inhomogeneity and subjected to remote uniform loading can be readily deduced from Eshelby's solution for an ellipsoidal inclusion upon imposing appropriate uniform eigenstrains. Based on this result, most of the existing micromechanics schemes dedicated to estimating the effective properties of inhomogeneous materials have been nevertheless applied to a number of materials of practical interest where inhomogeneities are in reality non-ellipsoidal. Aiming to examine the validity of the ellipsoidal approximation of inhomogeneities underlying various micromechanics schemes, we first derive a new boundary integral expression for calculating Eshelby's tensor field (ETF) in the context of two-dimensional isotropic elasticity. The simple and compact structure of the new boundary integral expression leads us to obtain the explicit expressions of ETF and its average for a wide variety of non-elliptical inclusions including arbitrary polygonal ones and those characterized by the finite Laurent series. In light of these new analytical results, we show that: (i) the elliptical approximation to the average of ETF is valid for a convex non-elliptical inclusion but becomes inacceptable for a non-convex non-elliptical inclusion; (ii) in general, the Eshelby tensor field inside a non-elliptical inclusion is quite non-uniform and cannot be replaced by its average; (iii) the substitution of the generalized Eshelby tensor involved in various micromechanics schemes by the average Eshelby tensor for non-elliptical inhomogeneities is in general inadmissible.     

Equivalent inclusion solution adapted to particle debonding with a non-linear cohesive law

Starting from Eshelby’s solution of the equivalent inclusion problem, an approximate solution is proposed in order to model interface debonding of a spherical inhomogeneity isolated in a uniform matrix. Both phases are linear elastic but the interface traction-separation law is non-linear. A semi-analytical incremental model is developed which is suitable for any type of loading. For computational efficiency, the model relies on two simplifying assumptions: (i) the eigenstrain is uniform inside the inhomogeneity and (ii) the interface compliance is averaged over inhomogeneity’s surface when computing the average strain within the inhomogeneity. An extensive parametric study is conducted for three loading modes and 144 combinations of non-dimensional parameters. The predictions are assessed against full-field finite element solutions based on two error measures of the mean stress field inside the inhomogeneity. The results show that the mean error value is acceptable in all cases and indicate the parameter ranges for which the model is most accurate.     

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.      

Meshless numerical simulation for fully nonlinear water waves

A meshless numerical model for nonlinear free surface water wave is presented in this paper. An approach of handling the moving free surface boundary is proposed. Using the fundamental solution of the Laplace equation as the radial basis functions and locating the source points outside the computational domain, the problem is solved by collocation of only a few boundary points. Present model is first applied to simulate the generation of periodic finite‐amplitude waves with high wave‐steepness and then is employed to simulate the modulation of monochromatic waves passing over a submerged obstacle. Good agreements are observed as compared with experimental data and other numerical models. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

三维位势问题的梯度边界积分方程的新解法

三维位势问题的边界元分析中,关于坐标变量的边界位势梯度的计算是一个困难的问题. 已有一些方法着手解决这个问题,然而,这些方法需要复杂的理论推导和大量的数值计算. 本文提出求解一般边界位势梯度边界积分方程的辅助边值问题法. 该方法构造了与原边界值问题具有相同解域的辅助边值问题,该辅助边值问题具有已知解,因此通过求解此辅助边值问题,可获得梯度边界积分方程对应的系统矩阵,然后将此系统矩阵应用于求解原边值问题,求解过程非常简单,只需求解一个线性系统即可获得原边值问题的解. 值得注意的是,在求解原边值问题时,不再需要重新计算系统矩阵,因此辅助边值问题法的效率并不很差. 辅助边值问题法避免了强奇异积分的计算,具有数学理论简单、程序设计容易、计算精度高等优点,为坐标变量梯度边界积分方程的求解提供了一个新的途径. 3个标准的数值算例验证了方法的有效性.      

Algebra of Transversely Isotropic Sixth Order Tensors and Solution to Higher Order Inhomogeneity Problems

In this paper we provide a complete and irreducible representation for transversely isotropic sixth order tensors having minor symmetries. Such tensors appear in some practical problems of elasticity for which their inversion is required. For this kind of tensors, we provide an irreducible basis which possesses some remarkable properties, allowing us to provide a representation in a compact form which uses two scalars and three matrices of dimension 2, 3 and 4. It is shown that the calculation of sum, product and inverse of transversely isotropic sixth order tensors is greatly simplified by using this new formalism and appears to be appropriate for deriving new various solutions to some practical problems in mechanics which use such kinds of higher order tensors. For instance, we derive the fields within a cylindrical inhomogeneity submitted to remote gradient of strain. The method of resolution uses the Eshelby equivalent inclusion method extended to the case of a polynomial type eigenstrain. It is shown that the approach leads to a linear system involving a sixth order tensor whose closed form solution is derived by means of the tensorial formalism introduced in the first part of the paper.     

Circular inclusions in anti-plane strain couple stress elasticity

The solution for a circular inclusion with a prescribed anti-plane eigenstrain is derived. It is shown that the components of the Eshelby tensor within the inclusion, corresponding to a uniform eigenstrain, can be either uniform or non-uniform, depending on the imposed interface conditions. The stress amplification factors due to circular void or rigid inclusion in an infinite medium under remote anti-plane shear stress are calculated. The failure of the couple stress elasticity to reproduce the classical elasticity solution in the limit of vanishingly small characteristic length is indicated for a particular type of boundary conditions. The solution for a circular inhomogeneity in an infinitely extended matrix subjected to remote shear stress is then derived. The effects of the imposed interface conditions, the shear stress and couple stress discontinuities, and the relationship between the inhomogeneity and its equivalent eigenstrain inclusion problem are discussed.     

Magnetoelectric Green's functions and their application to the inclusion and inhomogeneity problems

Explicit expressions of magnetoelectric Green's functions are obtained for a transversely isotropic medium exhibiting coupling between the static electric and magnetic fields utilizing the contour integral representation. Four Green's functions exist which represent the coupled static electric and magnetic response to a unit point electric or magnetic charge. The Green's functions are applied to analyze the inclusion and inhomogeneity problems in an infinite magnetoelectric medium, and explicit, closed form expressions are obtained for the Eshelby type tensors. The magnetoelectric Eshelby's tensors can be readily used in the solution of numerous problems in the mechanics and physics of magnetoelectric solids.     

On the Solution of an Elliptical Inhomogeneity in Plane Elasticity by the Equivalent Inclusion Method

Stress analysis of an elliptical inhomogeneity in an infinite isotropic elastic plane is a classical elasticity problem, which is usually solved by means of the complex variable formulation. In this work, we demonstrate that an alternative method of solution for such a problem, via the equivalent inclusion method, may be more convenient and straightforward without recourse to complex potentials or curvilinear coordinates. The explicit analytical solution can be derived through simple algebraic manipulation, although the longitudinal eigenstrain component should be handled with care in the case of plane strain. Since the exterior Eshelby tensor for an elliptical inclusion is available in closed-form, the present study provides a full field stress solution expressed in Cartesian coordinates. Furthermore, the in-plane stress components are represented in terms of Dundurs’ parameters. The solution methodology and the convenient formulae of the stress concentration may be of practical use to the engineers in developing benchmarks for design evaluation.     

On the solution of the dynamic Eshelby problem for inclusions of various shapes

In many dynamic applications of theoretical physics, for instance in electrodynamics, elastodynamics, and materials sciences (dynamic variant of Eshelby’s inclusion and inhomogeneity problems) the solution of the inhomogeneous Helmholtz equation (‘dynamic’ or Helmholtz potential) plays a crucial role. In materials sciences from such a solution the dynamical fields due to harmonically transforming eigenfields can be constructed. In contrast to the static Eshelby’s inclusion problem (Eshelby, 1957), due to its mathematical complexity, the dynamic variant of the problem is comparably little touched. Only for a restricted set of cases, namely for ellipsoidal, spheroidal and continuous fiber-inclusions, analytical approaches exist. For ellipsoidal shells we derive a 1D integral representation of the Helmholtz potential which is useful to be extended to inhomogeneous ellipsoidal source regions. We determine the dynamic potential and dynamic variant of the Eshelby tensor for arbitrary source densities and distributions by employing a numerical technique based on Gauss quadrature. We study a series of examples of Eshelby problems which are of interest for applications in materials sciences, such as for instance cubic and prismatic inclusions. The method is especially useful to be applied in self-consistent methods (e.g. the effective field method) if one looks for the effective dynamic characteristics of the material containing a random set of inclusions.     

基于边界值方法的微分动力系统数值计算方法

对高维非线性初值问题,微分求积法在每一步的积分过程中需要求解一个更高维的非线性方程组,因而计算量巨大。基于微分求积法与边界值方法两者之间的关系,可以将广义向后差分方法和扩展的隐式梯形积分方法看作是经典微分求积法的稀疏表达形式。将广义向后差分方法以及扩展的隐式梯形积分方法这两类边界值方法应用于微分动力系统的数值计算,提出了一类新的数值计算方法。理论分析及算例结果表明,对高维非线性微分初值问题的数值计算,本文方法相对于经典的微分求积法具有更高的计算效率。     

摩擦接触问题的比例边界等几何B可微方程组方法

摩擦接触问题是计算力学领域最具挑战性的问题之一,接触系统的泛函具有非线性、非光滑的特点,导致接触算法的收敛性与精确性难以保证.因此将比例边界等几何分析(scaled boundary isogeometric analysis,SBIGA)与B可微方程组(B dierential equation,BDE)相结合,提出了求解二维摩擦接触问题的比例边界等几何B可微方程组方法.在比例边界等几何坐标变换的基础上,通过虚功原理推导了关于边界控制点变量的接触平衡方程,表示成B可微方程组形式的接触条件可被严格满足,求解B可微方程组的算法的收敛性有理论保证.此比例边界等几何B可微方程组方法(SBIGA-BDE)只需在接触体边界进行等几何离散,使问题降低一维,能精确描述接触边界,并可通过节点插入算法进行真实接触区域的识别.此外,由于几何建模和数值分析使用相同的基函数,节约了划分网格的时间.以赫兹接触问题和悬臂梁摩擦接触问题为例,通过与解析解及数值计算软件ANSYS计算结果进行对比,验证了该方法求解二维摩擦接触问题的有效性及高精度等特点.