A micromechanical damage and fracture model for polymers based on fractional strain-gradient elasticity. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heyden, S.; Li, B.; Weinberg, K.; Conti, S.; Ortiz, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the mechanics and physics of solids. Volume 74(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 195
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Polymers -- Damage -- Failure -- Polyurea -- Fracture; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Solids -- Periodicals; Mechanics -- Periodicals; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Solides -- Périodiques; Mechanics, Applied; Solids; Periodicals; 531.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmps.2014.08.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-5096

Abstract

Abstract: We formulate a simple one-parameter macroscopic model of distributed damage and fracture of polymers that is amenable to a straightforward and efficient numerical implementation. We show that the macroscopic model can be rigorously derived, in the sense of optimal scaling, from a micromechanical model of chain elasticity and failure regularized by means of fractional strain-gradient elasticity . In particular, we derive optimal scaling laws that supply a link between the single parameter of the macroscopic model, namely, the critical energy-release rate of the material, and micromechanical parameters pertaining to the elasticity and strength of the polymer chains and to the strain-gradient elasticity regularization. We show how the critical energy-release rate of specific materials can be determined from test data. Finally, we demonstrate the scope and fidelity of the model by means of an example of application, namely, Taylor-impact experiments of polyurea 1000 rods.