Analysis of fiber clustering in composite materials using high-fidelity multiscale micromechanics. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bednarcyk, Brett A.; Aboudi, Jacob; Arnold, Steven M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of solids and structures. Volume 69/70(2015)
• Page Start: 311
• Page End: 327
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Composites -- Fiber clustering -- Modeling -- Multiscale -- Nonlinearity -- Yield and damage envelopes -- High-Fidelity Generalized Method of Cells; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Elastic solids -- Periodicals; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Constructions, Théorie des -- Périodiques; Solides élastiques -- Périodiques; Elastic solids; Mechanics, Applied; Structural analysis (Engineering); Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2015.05.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7683

Abstract

Abstract: A new multiscale micromechanical approach is developed for the prediction of the behavior of fiber reinforced composites in presence of fiber clustering. The developed method is based on a coupled two-scale implementation of the High-Fidelity Generalized Method of Cells theory, wherein both the local and global scales are represented using this micromechanical method. Concentration tensors and effective constitutive equations are established on both scales and linked to establish the required coupling, thus providing the local fields throughout the composite as well as the global properties and effective nonlinear response. Two non-dimensional parameters, in conjunction with actual composite micrographs, are used to characterize the clustering of fibers in the composite. Based on the predicted local fields, initial yield and damage envelopes are generated for various clustering parameters for a polymer matrix composite with both carbon and glass fibers. Nonlinear epoxy matrix behavior is also considered, with results in the form of effective nonlinear response curves, with varying fiber clustering and for two sets of nonlinear matrix parameters.