Continuum Mechanics Modelling of Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Multi-scale modelling of composites is a very relevant topic in composites science. This is illustrated by the numerous sessions in the recent European and International Conferences on Composite Materials, but also by the fast developments in multi-scale modelling software tools, developed by large industrial players such as Siemens (Virtual Material Characterization toolkit and MultiMechanics virtual testing software), MSC/e-Xstream (Digimat software), Simulia (micromechanics plug-in in Abaqus), HyperSizer (Multi-scale design of composites), Altair (Altair Multiscale Designer) This book is intended to be an ideal reference on the latest advances in multi-scale modelling of fibre-reinforced polymer composites, that is accessible for both (young) researchers and end users of modelling software. We target three main groups: This book aims at a complete introduction and overview of the state-of-the-art in multi-scale modelling of composites in three axes: • ranging from prediction of homogenized elastic properties to nonlinear material behaviour • ranging from geometrical models for random packing of unidirectional fibres over meso-scale geometries for textile composites to orientation tensors for short fibre composites • ranging from damage modelling of unidirectionally reinforced composites over textile composites to short fibre-reinforced composites The book covers the three most important scales in multi-scale modelling of composites: (i) micro-scale, (ii) meso-scale and (iii) macro-scale. The nano-scale and related atomistic and molecular modelling approaches are deliberately excluded, since the book wants to focus on continuum mechanics and there are already a lot of dedicated books about polymer nanocomposites. A strong focus is put on physics-based damage modelling, in the sense that the chapters devote attention to modelling the different damage mechanisms (matrix cracking, fibre/matrix debonding, delamination, fibre fracture,...) in such a way that the underlying physics of the initiation and growth of these damage modes is respected. The book also gives room to not only discuss the finite element based approaches for multi-scale modelling, but also much faster methods that are popular in industrial software, such as Mean Field Homogenization methods (based on Mori-Tanaka and Eshelby solutions) and variational methods (shear lag theory and more advanced theories). Since the book targets a wide audience, the focus is put on the most common numerical approaches that are used in multi-scale modelling. Very specialized numerical methods like peridynamics modelling, Material Point Method, eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM), isogeometric analysis, SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics),... are excluded. Outline of the book The book is divided in three large parts, well balanced with each a similar number of chapters:

This book correlates the properties of polymer-based nanocomposites with mechanical models at different length scales. It discusses the reinforcements with particle and fiber and provides an overview of nanocomposites development, theoretical models and simulation methods. Foundations of molecular dynamics and continuum mechanics methods are laid and comparison between results of experimental and theoretical works is performed. The book also contains case studies and provides scripting tutorials for enthusiasts to exercise simulations and to develop further.

Volume is indexed by Thomson Reuters CPCI-S (WoS). These 379 peer-reviewed papers, presented in a two-volume set, cover the latest advances in nanocrystalline materials, thin films and chemical vapor deposition, biocomposites, ceramics technology, MEMS, coatings, nanopowders, fuel cells, etc.; together with their practical application.

Modelling of Damage Processes in Biocomposites, Fibre-Reinforced Composites and Hybrid Composites focuses on the advanced characterization techniques used for the analysis of composite materials developed from natural fiber/biomass, synthetic fibers and a combination of these materials used as fillers and reinforcements to enhance materials performance and utilization in automotive, aerospace, construction and building components. It will act as a detailed reference resource to encourage future research in natural fiber and hybrid composite materials, an area much in demand due to the need for more sustainable, recyclable, and eco-friendly composites in a broad range of applications. Written by leading experts in the field, and covering composite materials developed from different natural fibers and their hybridization with synthetic fibers, the book's chapters provide cutting-edge, up-to-date research on the characterization, analysis and modelling of composite materials. Contains contributions from leading experts in the field Discusses recent progress on failure analysis, SHM, durability, life prediction and the modelling of damage in natural fiber-based composite materials Covers experimental, analytical and numerical analysis Provides detailed and comprehensive information on mechanical properties, testing methods and modelling techniques

Graduate-level text assembles and interprets contributions to field of composite materials for a comprehensive account of mechanical behavior of heterogeneous media. Subjects include macroscopic stiffness properties and failure characterization. 1979 edition.

Book is organized around new experiments in and modeling of fatigue and its effects over a range of composite materials subjected to multiple mechanical and thermal stresses. An objective of the investigations discussed is to explain failure mechanisms and improve long-term loading prediction and performance. Chapters in the book are edited and refereed presentations made at the most recent ICFC5 conference, held in Nanjing, China.TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface •Fatigue Life Assessment via Ply-By-Ply Stress Analysis Under Biaxial Loading F. Schmidt, T. J. Adam and P. Horst •A Residual Stiffness—Residual Strength Coupled Model for Composite Laminate Under Fatigue Loading W. Lian •Damage in Thermoplastic Composite Structures: Application to High Pressure Hydrogen Storage Vessels C. Thomas, F. Nony, S. Villalonga and J. Renard •Cyclic Interlaminar Crack Growth in Unidirectional and Braided Composites S. Stelzer, G. Pinter, M. Wolfahrt, A. J. Brunner and J. Noisternig •Experimental Analysis and Modelling of Fatigue Behaviour of Thick Woven Laminated Composites P. Nimdum and J. Renard •Fatigue Behaviour of Woven Composite p Joint J. Zhang, Y. Fu, L. Zhao, X. Liang, H. Huang and B. Fei •Monotonic and Cyclic Deformation Behavior of Ultrasonically Welded Hybrid Joints Between Light Metals and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) F. Balle and D. Eifler •Fatigue-Driven Residual Life Models Based on Controlling Fatigue Stress and Strain in Carbon Fibre/Epoxy Composites J. J. Xiong, J. B. Bai and C. Y. Luo •An Energy-Based Fatigue Approach for Composites Combining Failure Mechanisms, Strength and Stiffness Degradation H. Krüger, R. Rolfes and E. Jansen •Fatigue Life Prediction Of Off-Axis Unidirectional Laminate F. WU and W.-X. YAO •Thermal Fatigue of AX41 Magnesium Alloy Based Composite Studied Using Thermal Expansivity Measurements Z. Drozd, Z. Trojanová and P. Lukáč •Fabrication of TI/APC-2 Nanocomposite Laminates and Their Fatigue Response at Elevated Temperature M.-H. R. Jen, C.-K. Chang, Y.-C. Sung and F.-C. Hsu •Fatigue and Fracture of Elastomeric Matrix Nanocomposites C. Bathias and S. Dong •Fatigue Delamination of Carbon Fiber Fabrics Reinforced PPS Laminates J. Bassery and J. Renard •Damage Mechanism and Fatigue Behaviour of Uniaxially and Sequentially Loaded Wound Tube Specimens F. Schmidt and P. Horst •Influence of Thermal and Mechanical Cycles on the Damping Behaviour of Mg Based-Nanocomposite Z. Trojanová, A. Makowska-Mielczarek, W. Riehemann and P. Lukáč •Delamination Detection in CFRP Laminates Using A0 and S0 Lamb Wave Modes N. Hu, Y.-L. Liu, H. Fukunaga and Y. Li •Calorimetric Analysis of Dissipative Effects Associated with the Fatigue of GFRP Composites H. Sawadogo, S. Panier and S. Hariri •Correlation Between Crack Propagation Rate and Cure Process of Epoxy Resins V. Trappe, S. Günzel and M. Jaunich Author Index

Computational Modeling of Polymer Composites: A Study of Creep and Environmental Effects details the development of polymeric materials and their use in smart materials and composite structures in aerospace and automotive industries. Based on the authors' work during the past 30 years, this book provides a strong understanding of the theories and associated finite element life-prediction models for elastic and viscoelastic response of polymers and polymer composites in aggressive environments. The subject is an interdisciplinary one where chemists, material scientists, and chemical, mechanical, and structural engineers contribute to the overall product. Books on polymer composites are usually of three types: material science, mechanics, and computational. This book combines mechanics of materials with the computational element. The authors suggest an introductory course on mechanics of materials to cover all bases. The book begins with mathematical preliminaries, equations of anisotropic elasticity, virtual work principles, and variational methods. It provides an introduction to the finite element method and finite element analysis of viscoelastic materials, and then moves on to the solvent diffusion process in polymers and polymeric composites, as well as the linear and nonlinear viscoelastic models and the implementation of finite element models of viscoelastic materials. Computational Modeling of Polymer Composites: A Study of Creep and Environmental Effects delves into both uniaxial and multiaxial cases and delayed failure before discussing the finite element analysis of the nonlinear diffusion process in polymers. It also includes non-Fickean diffusion of polymers, the coupled hygrothermal cohesive layer model for simulating debond growth in bimaterial interfaces, and the viscoelastic cohesive layer model for the prediction of interlaminar shear strength of carbon/epoxy composites. The final chapter covers a multi-scale viscoelastic cohesive layer model for predicting delamination in high temperature polymer composites. This book can be used as a reference or as a graduate course textbook on theory and/or finite element analysis of polymers and polymeric composites.

Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are used in almost every type of advanced engineering structure, with their usage ranging from aircraft, helicopters and spacecraft through to boats, ships and offshore platforms and to automobiles, sports goods, chemical processing equipment and civil infrastructure such as bridges and buildlings. The usage of FRP composites continues to grow at an impessive rate as these materials are used more in their existing markets and become established in relatively new markets such as biomedical devices and civil structures. A key factor driving the increased applications of composites over the recent years is the development of new advanced forms of FRP materials. This includes developments in high performance resin systems and new styles of reinforcement, such as carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles. This book provides an up-to-date account of the fabrication, mechanical properties, delamination resistance, impact tolerance and applications of 3D FRP composites. The book focuses on 3D composites made using the textile technologies of weaving, braiding, knitting and stiching as well as by z-pinning.

Mechanical and Physical Testing of Biocomposites, Fibre-Reinforced Composites and Hybrid Composites covers key aspects of fracture and failure in natural/synthetic fiber reinforced polymer based composite materials, ranging from crack propagation, to crack growth, and from notch-size effect, to damage-tolerant design. Topics of interest include mechanical properties, such as tensile, flexural, compression, shear, impact, fracture toughness, low and high velocity impact, and anti-ballistic properties of natural fiber, synthetic fibers and hybrid composites materials. It also covers physical properties, such as density, water absorption, thickness swelling, and void content of composite materials fabricated from natural or synthetic materials. Written by leading experts in the field, and covering composite materials developed from different natural fibers and their hybridization with synthetic fibers, the book's chapters provide cutting-edge, up-to-date research on the characterization, analysis and modelling of composite materials. Contains contributions from leading experts in the field Discusses recent progress on failure analysis, SHM, durability, life prediction and the modelling of damage in natural fiber-based composite materials Covers experimental, analytical and numerical analysis Provides detailed and comprehensive information on mechanical properties, testing methods and modelling techniques

Contains 16 original papers on the processing and manufacturing of thermoset and thermoplastic composites. In this book, nine chapters cover modeling and process parameters for many shapes of thermosets using RTM, VARTM and CRTM.

In this study, a technique is presented for developing constitutive models for polymer composite systems reinforced with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). Because the polymer molecules are on the same size scale as the nanotubes, the interaction at the polymer/nanotube interface is highly dependent on the local molecular structure and bonding. At these small length scales, the lattice structures of the nanotube and polymer chains cannot be considered continuous, and the bulk mechanical properties can no longer be determined through the traditional micromechanical approaches that are formulated by using continuum mechanics. It is proposed herein that the nanotube, the local polymer near the nanotube, and the nanotube/polymer interface can be modeled as an effective continuum fiber using an equivalent-continuum modeling method. The micromechanical analyses for the prediction of bulk mechanical properties of SWNT/polymer composites with various nanotube lengths, concentrations, and orientations. As an example, the proposed approach is used for the constitutive modeling of two SWNT/polyimide composite systems.