Showing papers in "Journal of The Mechanics and Physics of Solids in 2005"

Nonlinear analyses of wrinkles in a film bonded to a compliant substrate

Abstract: Subject to a compressive membrane force, a film bonded to a compliant substrate often forms a pattern of wrinkles. This paper studies such wrinkles in a layered structure used in several recent experiments. The structure comprises a stiff film bonded to a compliant substrate, which in turn is bonded to a rigid support. Two types of analyses are performed. First, for sinusoidal wrinkles, by minimizing energy, we obtain the wavelength and the amplitude of the wrinkles for substrates of various moduli and thicknesses. Second, we develop a method to simultaneously evolve the two-dimensional pattern in the film and the three-dimensional elastic field in the substrate. The simulations show that the wrinkles can evolve into stripes, labyrinths, or herringbones, depending on the anisotropy of the membrane forces. Statistical averages of the amplitude and wavelength of wrinkles of various patterns correlate well with the analytical solution of the sinusoidal wrinkles.

Surface free energy and its effect on the elastic behavior of nano-sized particles, wires and films

Abstract: Atoms at a free surface experience a different local environment than do atoms in the bulk of a material. As a result, the energy associated with these atoms will, in general, be different from that of the atoms in the bulk. The excess energy associated with surface atoms is called surface free energy. In traditional continuum mechanics, such surface free energy is typically neglected because it is associated with only a few layers of atoms near the surface and the ratio of the volume occupied by the surface atoms and the total volume of material of interest is extremely small. However, for nano-size particles, wires and films, the surface to volume ratio becomes significant, and so does the effect of surface free energy. In this paper, a framework is developed to incorporate the surface free energy into the continuum theory of mechanics. Based on this approach, it is demonstrated that the overall elastic behavior of structural elements (such as particles, wires, films) is size-dependent. Although such size-dependency is negligible for conventional structural elements, it becomes significant when at least one of the dimensions of the element shrinks to nanometers. Numerical examples are given in the paper to illustrate quantitatively the effects of surface free energy on the elastic properties of nano-size particles, wires and films.

Size-dependent effective elastic constants of solids containing nano-inhomogeneities with interface stress

Abstract: The fundamental framework of micromechanical procedure is generalized to take into account the surface/interface stress effect at the nano-scale. This framework is applied to the derivation of the effective moduli of solids containing nano-inhomogeneities in conjunction with the composite spheres assemblage model, the Mori–Tanaka method and the generalized self-consistent method. Closed-form expressions are given for the bulk and shear moduli, which are shown to be functions of the interface properties and the size of the inhomogeneities. The dependence of the elastic moduli on the size of the inhomogeneities highlights the importance of the surface/interface in analysing the deformation of nano-scale structures. The present results are applicable to analysis of the properties of nano-composites and foam structures.

Growth and instability in elastic tissues

Abstract: The effect of growth in the stability of elastic materials is studied. From a stability perspective, growth and resorption have two main effects. First a change of mass modifies the geometry of the system and possibly the critical lengths involved in stability thresholds. Second, growth may depend on stress but also it may induce residual stresses in the material. These stresses change the effective loads and they may both stabilize or destabilize the material. To discuss the stability of growing elastic materials, the theory of finite elasticity is used as a general framework for the mechanical description of elastic properties and growth is taken into account through the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient. The formalism of incremental deformation is adapted to include growth effects. As an application of the formalism, the stability of a growing neo-Hookean incompressible spherical shell under external pressure is analyzed. Numerical and analytical methods are combined to obtain explicit stability results and to identify the role of mechanical and geometric effects. The importance of residual stress is established by showing that under large anisotropic growth a spherical shell can become spontaneously unstable without any external loading.

A theory of strain-gradient plasticity for isotropic, plastically irrotational materials. Part I: Small deformations

Abstract: This study develops a small-deformation theory of strain-gradient plasticity for isotropic materials in the absence of plastic rotation. The theory is based on a system of microstresses consistent with a microforce balance; a mechanical version of the second law that includes, via microstresses, work performed during viscoplastic flow; a constitutive theory that allows: • the microstresses to depend on ∇E˙p, the gradient of the plastic strain-rate, and • the free energy ψ to depend on the Burgers tensor G=curlEp. The microforce balance when augmented by constitutive relations for the microstresses results in a nonlocal flow rule in the form of a tensorial second-order partial differential equation for the plastic strain. The microstresses are strictly dissipative when ψ is independent of the Burgers tensor, but when ψ depends on G the gradient microstress is partially energetic, and this, in turn, leads to a back stress and (hence) to Bauschinger-effects in the flow rule. It is further shown that dependencies of the microstresses on ∇E˙p lead to strengthening and weakening effects in the flow rule. Typical macroscopic boundary conditions are supplemented by nonstandard microscopic boundary conditions associated with flow, and, as an aid to numerical solutions, a weak (virtual power) formulation of the nonlocal flow rule is derived.

Buckling analysis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes: a continuum model accounting for van der Waals interaction

Abstract: Explicit formulas are derived for the van der Waals (vdW) interaction between any two layers of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT). Based on the derived formulas, an efficient algorithm is established for the buckling analysis of multi-walled CNTs, in which individual tubes are modeled as a continuum cylindrical shell. The explicit expressions are also derived for the buckling of double-walled CNTs. In previous studies by Ru (J. Appl. Phys. 87 (2000b) 7227) and Wang et al. (Int. J. Solids Struct. 40 (2003) 3893), only the vdW interaction between adjacent two layers was considered and the vdW interaction between the other two layers was neglected. The vdW interaction coefficient was treated as a constant that was not dependent on the radii of the tubes. However, the formulas derived herein reveal that the vdW interaction coefficients are dependent on the change of interlayer spacing and the radii of the tubes. With the increase of radii, the coefficients approach constants, and the constants between two adjacent layers are about 10% higher than those reported by Wang et al. (Int. J. Solids. Struct. 40 (2003) 3893). In addition, the numerical results show that the vdW interaction will lead to a higher critical buckling load in multi-walled CNTs. The effect of the tube radius on the critical buckling load of a multi-walled CNT is also examined.

Finite element modeling of elasto-plastic contact between rough surfaces

Abstract: This paper presents a finite element calculation of frictionless, non-adhesive, contact between a rigid plane and an clasto-plastic solid with a self-affine fractal surface. The calculations are conducted within an explicit dynamic Lagrangian framework. The elastoplastic response of the material is described by a J(2) isotropic plasticity law. Parametric studies are used to establish general relations between contact properties and key material parameters. In all cases, the contact area A rises linearly with the applied load. The rate of increase grows as the yield stress sigma(y) decreases, scaling as a power of sigma(y) over the range typical of real materials. Results for A from different plasticity laws and surface morphologies can all be described by a simple scaling formula. Plasticity produces qualitative changes in the distributions of local pressures in the contact and of the size of connected contact regions. The probability of large local pressures is decreased, while large clusters become more likely. Loading-unloading cycles are considered and the total plastic work is found to be nearly constant over a wide range of yield stresses. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamic compressive strength properties of aluminium foams. Part I—experimental data and observations

Abstract: This study of the dynamic compressive strength properties of metal foams is in two parts. Part I presents data from an extensive experimental study of closed-cell Hydro/Cymat aluminium foam, which elucidates a number of key issues and phenomena. Part II focuses on modelling issues. The dynamic compressive response of the foam was investigated using a direct-impact technique for a range of velocities from 10 to 210 ms - 1 . Elastic wave dispersion and attenuation in the pressure bar was corrected using a deconvolution technique. A new method of locating the point of densification in the nominal stress–strain curves of the foam is proposed, which provides a consistent framework for the definition of the plateau stress and the densification strain, both essential parameters of the ‘shock’ model in Part II. Data for the uniaxial, plastic collapse and plateau stresses are presented for two different average cell sizes of approximately 4 and 14 mm. They show that the plastic collapse strength of the foam changes significantly with compression rate. This phenomenon is discussed, and the distinctive roles of microinertia and ‘shock’ formation are described. The effects of compression rates on the initiation, development and distribution of cell crushing are also examined. Tests were carried out to examine the effects of density gradient and specimen gauge length at different rates of compression and the results are discussed. The origin of the conflicting conclusions in the literature on the correlation between nominal strain rate ɛ ˙ (ratio of the impact velocity V i to the initial gauge length l o of the specimen) and the dynamic strength of aluminium alloy foams is identified and explained.

Kinetic wrinkling of an elastic film on a viscoelastic substrate

Abstract: A compressed elastic film on a compliant substrate can form wrinkles. On an elastic substrate, equilibrium and energetics set the critical condition and select the wrinkle wavelength and amplitude. On a viscous substrate, wrinkle grows over time and the kinetics selects the fastest growing wavelength. More generally, on a viscoelastic substrate, both energetics and kinetics play important roles in determining the critical condition, the growth rate, and the wavelength. This paper studies the wrinkling process of an elastic film on a viscoelastic layer, which in turn lies on a rigid substrate. The film is elastic and modeled by the nonlinear von Karman plate theory. The substrate is linear viscoelastic with a relaxation modulus typical of a cross-linked polymer. Beyond a critical stress, the film wrinkles by the out-of-plane displacement but remains bonded to the substrate. This study considers plane strain wrinkling and neglects the in-plane displacement. A classification of the wrinkling behavior is made based on the critical conditions at the elastic limits, the glassy and rubbery states of the viscoelastic substrate. Linear perturbation analyses are conducted to reveal the kinetics of wrinkling in films subjected to intermediate and large compressive stresses. It is shown that, depending on the stress level, the growth of wrinkles at the initial stage can be exponential, accelerating, linear, or decelerating. In all cases, the wrinkle amplitude saturates at an equilibrium state after a long time. Subsequently, both amplitude and wavelength of the wrinkle evolve, but the process is kinetically constrained and slow compared to the initial growth.

Poromechanics of freezing materials

Abstract: When subjected to a uniform cooling below the freezing point a water-infiltrated porous material undergoes a cryo-deformation resulting from various combined actions: (i) the difference of density between the liquid water and the ice crystal, which results in the initial build-up of an in-pore pressure at the onset of crystallization; (ii) the interfacial effects arising between the different constituents, which eventually govern the crystallization process in connection with the pore access radius distribution; (iii) the drainage of the liquid water expelled from the freezing sites towards the air voids; (iv) the cryo-suction process, which drives liquid water towards the already frozen pores as the temperature further decreases; (v) the thermomechanical coupling between the solid matrix, the liquid water and the ice crystal. We work out a comprehensive theory able to encompass this whole set of actions. A macroscopic approach first provides the constitutive equations of freezing poroelastic materials, including the interfacial energy effects. This approach reveals the existence of a thermodynamic state function—namely the liquid saturation degree as a function of the temperature only. The macroscopic ice-dependent poroelastic properties are then upscaled from the knowledge of the elastic properties of the solid matrix, of the pore access radius distribution, and of the capillary curve. The theory is finally illustrated by analysing quantitatively the effects of the cooling rate and of the pore radius distribution upon the cryo-deformation of water-infiltrated porous materials. The theory succeeds in accounting for the experimentally observed shrinkage of embedded air voids, while predicting the partial melting of the ice already formed when the cooling suddenly stops.

Dynamic compressive strength properties of aluminium foams. Part II—‘shock’ theory and comparison with experimental data and numerical models

Abstract: One-dimensional ‘steady-shock’ models based on a rate-independent, rigid, perfectly-plastic, locking (r-p-p-l) idealisation of the quasi-static stress–strain curves for aluminium foams are proposed for two different impact scenarios to provide a first-order understanding of the dynamic compaction process. A thermo-mechanical approach is used in the formulation of their governing equations. Predictions by the models are compared with experimental data presented in the companion paper (Part I) and with the results of finite-element simulations of two-dimensional Voronoi honeycombs. A kinematic existence condition for continuing ‘shock’ propagation in aluminium foams is established using thermodynamics arguments and its predictions compare well with the experimental data. The thermodynamics highlight the incorrect application of the global energy balance approach to describe ‘shock’ propagation in cellular solids which appears in some current literature.

A theory for amorphous viscoplastic materials undergoing finite deformations, with application to metallic glasses

Abstract: This study develops a finite-deformation, Coulomb–Mohr type constitutive theory for the elastic–viscoplastic response of pressure-sensitive and plastically-dilatant isotropic materials. The constitutive model has been implemented in a finite element program, and the numerical capability is used to study the deformation response of amorphous metallic glasses. Specifically, the response of an amorphous metallic glass in tension, compression, strip-bending, and indentation is studied, and it is shown that results from the numerical simulations qualitatively capture major features of corresponding results from physical experiments available in the literature.

Numerical and experimental studies of the mechanism of the wavy interface formations in explosive/impact welding

Abstract: Explosively driven impact welding is a true example of multidisciplinary research as the phenomena associated with it fall under the various branches of engineering science. A great deal of the work in, and collaboration between various specialised fields have been expended on the subject. However, a comprehensive quantitative theory capable of giving an accurate description and prediction of the parameters and of the characteristic features of explosively welded components does not exist. Most of the investigators considered the welding process as a solid state welding process, but some believed that the process is a fusion welding process. Interfacial waves are the most discussed aspect of explosive welding. The presence of jet in the collision region, and the transient fluid-like behaviour under high pressure have led many investigators to seek an explanation and a characterisation of these waves in terms of a flow mechanics of one kind or another. In this study, part of the welding process was numerically analysed. A finite difference engineering package was used to model the oblique impact of a thin flyer plate on a relatively thick base. The results were validated by data from carefully controlled experiments using a pneumatic gun. Straight and wavy interfaces and jetting phenomena were modelled, and the magnitude of the waves and the velocity of jet predicted. The numerical analysis predicted a hump ahead of the collision point. Wave formation appears to be the result of variations in the velocity distribution at the collision point and periodic disturbances of the materials. Higher values of plastic strain were predicted in wavy interfaces. Bonding was found to be a solid state welding process. Phase changes which occur may be due to high temperatures (but less than the melting temperature) at the collision point.

A numerical approach to spherical indentation techniques for material property evaluation

Abstract: In this work, some inaccuracies and limitations of prior indentation theories, which are based on experimental observations and the deformation theory of plasticity, are investigated. Effects of major material properties on the indentation load-deflection curve are examined via finite element (FE) analyses based on incremental plasticity theory. It is confirmed that subindenter deformation and stress–strain distribution from deformation plasticity theory are quite dissimilar to those obtained from incremental plasticity theory. We suggest an optimal data acquisition location, where the strain gradient is the least and the effect of friction is negligible. A new numerical approach to indentation techniques is then proposed by examining the FE solutions at the optimal point. Numerical regressions of obtained data exhibit that the strain-hardening exponent and yield strain are the two key parameters which govern the subindenter deformation characteristics. The new indentation theory successfully provides a stress–strain curve and material properties with an average error of less than 3%.

On the origin of Luders-like deformation of NiTi shape memory alloys

Abstract: Polycrystalline NiTi shape memory alloys deformed in tension tend to exhibit localization and propagation of deformation in macroscopic shear bands. The propagation of the deformation bands is characterized by a plateau-type stress–strain curve. Such behavior has been reported only for NiTi alloys and only in tension. The reason for this behavior is still unclear although different hypotheses have been proposed in the literature. This article briefly summarizes relevant experimental evidences and offers an explanation based on micromechanics modelling of pseudoelasticity of polycrystalline NiTi.

The effect of long-range forces on the dynamics of a bar

Abstract: The one-dimensional dynamic response of an infinite bar composed of a linear “microelastic material” is examined. The principal physical characteristic of this constitutive model is that it accounts for the effects of long-range forces. The general theory that describes our setting, including the accompanying equation of motion, was developed independently by Kunin (Elastic Media with Microstructure I, 1982), Rogula (Nonlocal Theory of Material Media, 1982) and Silling (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 48 (2000) 175), and is called the peridynamic theory. The general initial-value problem is solved and the motion is found to be dispersive as a consequence of the long-range forces. The result converges, in the limit of short-range forces, to the classical result for a linearly elastic medium. Explicit solutions in elementary form are given in a broad class of special cases. The most striking observations arise in the Riemann-like problem corresponding to a constant initial displacement field and a piecewise constant initial velocity field. Even though, initially, the displacement field is continuous, it involves a jump discontinuity for all later times, the Lagrangian location of which remains stationary. For some materials the magnitude of the discontinuity-jump oscillates about an average value, while for others it grows monotonically, presumably fracturing the material when it exceeds some critical level.

One-dimensional response of sandwich plates to underwater shock loading

Abstract: The one-dimensional shock response of sandwich plates is investigated for the case of identical face sheets separated by a compressible foam core. The dynamic response of the sandwich plates is analysed for front face impulsive loading, and the effect of strain hardening of the core material is determined. For realistic ratios of core mass to face sheet mass, it is found that the strain hardening capacity of the core has a negligible effect upon the average through-thickness compressive strain developed within the core. Consequently, it suffices to model the core as an ideally plastic-locking solid. The one-dimensional response of sandwich plates subjected to an underwater pressure pulse is investigated by both a lumped parameter model and a finite element (FE) model. Unlike the monolithic plate case, cavitation does not occur at the fluid–structure interface, and the sandwich plates remain loaded by fluid until the end of the core compression phase. The momentum transmitted to the sandwich plate increases with increasing core strength, suggesting that weak sandwich cores may enhance the underwater shock resistance of sandwich plates.

The cohesive law for the particle/matrix interfaces in high explosives

Abstract: The debonding of particle/matrix interfaces has an important effect on the macroscopic behavior of composite materials. There are extensive analytical and numerical studies on interface debonding in composite materials based on cohesive zone models which assume a phenomenological relation between the normal (and shear) traction(s) and opening (and sliding) displacement(s) across the particle/matrix interface. However, there are little or no experiments to determine the cohesive law for particle/matrix interfaces in composite materials. In this paper, we develop a method to determine the cohesive law for particle/matrix interfaces in the high explosive PBX 9501. We use the digital image correlation technique to obtain the stress and displacement around a macroscopic crack tip in the modified compact tension experiment of PBX 9501. We use the extended Mori–Tanaka method (which accounts for the effect of interface debonding) and the equivalence of cohesive energy on the macroscale and microscale to link the macroscale compact tension experiment to the microscale cohesive law for particle/matrix interfaces. Such an approach enables us to quantitatively determine key parameters in the microscale cohesive law, namely the linear modulus, cohesive strength, and softening modulus of particle/matrix interfaces in the high explosive PBX 9501. The present study shows that Ferrante et al.'s [1982 Universal binding energy relations in metallic adhesion. In: J.M. Georges (Ed.), Microscopic Aspects of Adhesion and Lubrication, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 19–30.] cohesive law, which is established primarily for bimetallic interfaces, is not suitable to the high explosive PBX 9501.

Remodeling of biological tissue: Mechanically induced reorientation of a transversely isotropic chain network

Abstract: A new class of micromechanically motivated chain network models for soft biological tissues is presented. On the microlevel, it is based on the statistics of long chain molecules. A wormlike chain model is applied to capture the behavior of the collagen microfibrils. On the macrolevel, the network of collagen chains is represented by a transversely isotropic eight chain unit cell introducing one characteristic material axis. Biomechanically induced remodeling is captured by allowing for a continuous reorientation of the predominant unit cell axis driven by a biomechanical stimulus. To this end, we adopt the gradual alignment of the unit cell axis with the direction of maximum principal strain. The evolution of the unit cell axis’ orientation is governed by a first-order rate equation. For the temporal discretization of the remodeling rate equation, we suggest an exponential update scheme of Euler-Rodrigues type. For the spatial discretization, a finite element strategy is applied which introduces the current individual cell orientation as an internal variable on the integration point level. Selected model problems are analyzed to illustrate the basic features of the new model. Finally, the presented approach is applied to the biomechanically relevant boundary value problem of an in vitro engineered functional tendon construct.

The role of interfaces in enhancing the yield strength of composites and polycrystals

Abstract: A deformation-theory version of strain-gradient plasticity is employed to assess the influence of microstructural scale on the yield strength of composites and polycrystals. The framework is that recently employed by Fleck and Willis (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 52 (2004) 1855–1888), but it is enhanced by the introduction of an interfacial “energy” that penalises the build-up of plastic strain at interfaces. The most notable features of the new interfacial potential are: (a) internal surfaces are treated as surfaces of discontinuity and (b) the scale-dependent enhancement of the overall yield strength is no longer limited by the “Taylor” or “Voigt” upper bound. The variational structure associated with the theory is developed in generality and its implications are demonstrated through consideration of simple one-dimensional examples. Results are presented for a single-phase medium containing interfaces distributed either periodically or randomly.

Boundary conditions in small-deformation, single-crystal plasticity that account for the Burgers vector

Abstract: This paper discusses boundary conditions appropriate to a theory of single-crystal plasticity (Gurtin, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 50 (2002) 5) that includes an accounting for the Burgers vector through energetic and dissipative dependences on the tensor G=curlHp, with Hp the plastic part in the additive decomposition of the displacement gradient into elastic and plastic parts. This theory results in a flow rule in the form of N coupled second-order partial differential equations for the slip-rates γ˙α(α=1,2…,N), and, consequently, requires higher-order boundary conditions. Motivated by the virtual-power principle in which the external power contains a boundary-integral linear in the slip-rates, hard-slip conditions in which (A) γ˙α=0 on a subsurface Shard of the boundary for all slip systems α are proposed. In this paper we develop a theory that is consistent with that of (Gurtin, 2002), but that leads to an external power containing a boundary-integral linear in the tensor H˙ijpɛjrlnr, a result that motivates replacing (A) with the microhard condition (B) H˙ijpɛjrlnr=0 on the subsurface Shard. We show that, interestingly, (B) may be interpreted as the requirement that there be no flow of the Burgers vector across Shard. What is most important, we establish uniqueness for the underlying initial/boundary-value problem associated with (B); since the conditions (A) are generally stronger than the conditions (B), this result indicates lack of existence for problems based on (A). For that reason, the hard-slip conditions (A) would seem inappropriate as boundary conditions. Finally, we discuss conditions at a grain boundary based on the flow of the Burgers vector at and across the boundary surface.

Mechanism-based strain gradient crystal plasticity—I. Theory

Abstract: We have been developing the theory of mechanism-based strain gradient plasticity (MSG) to model size-dependent plastic deformation at micron and submicron length scales. The core idea has been to incorporate the concept of geometrically necessary dislocations into the continuum plastic constitutive laws via the Taylor hardening relation. Here we extend this effort to develop a mechanism-based strain gradient theory of crystal plasticity. In this theory, an effective density of geometrically necessary dislocations for a specific slip plane is introduced via a continuum analog of the Peach–Koehler force in dislocation theory and is incorporated into the plastic constitutive laws via the Taylor relation.

Experiments and modeling of carbon nanotube-based nems devices

Abstract: In this paper, carbon nanotube-based nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) are nanofabricated and tested. In-situ scanning electron microscopy measurements of the deflection of the cantilever under electrostatic actuation are reported. In particular, a cantilever nanotube suspended over an electrode (nanoswitch), or two symmetric cantilever nanotubes (nanotweezers), from which a differential in electrical potential is imposed, are studied. The finite deformation regime investigated here is the first of its kind. An analytical model based on the energy method in both small deformation and finite kinematics (large deformation) regimes is used to interpret the measurements. The theory overcomes limitations of prior analysis reported in the literature towards the prediction of the structural behavior of NEMS. Some of the simplifying hypotheses have been removed. Furthermore, the theory takes into account the cylindrical shape of the deflected nanotube in the evaluation of its electrical capacitance, the influence of the van der Waals forces as well as finite kinematics. In addition, tip charge concentration and a quantum correction of the electrical capacitance are also considered. The energy-based method is used to predict the structural behavior and instability of the nanotube, corresponding to the on/off states of the nanoswitch, or to the open/close states of the nanotweezers—at the so-called pull-in voltage. Accuracy of the derived formulas is assessed by comparison of the theoretical prediction and experimental data in both small deformation and finite kinematics regimes. The results reported in this work are particularly useful in the characterization of the electromechanical properties of nanotubes as well as in the optimal design of nanotube-based NEMS devices.

A micro–macro approach to rubber-like materials. Part II: The micro-sphere model of finite rubber viscoelasticity

Abstract: A micromechanically based non-affine network model for finite rubber elasticity incorporating topological constraints was discussed in Part I (2004. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 52, 2617–2660) of this work. In this follow-up contribution we extend the non-affine micro-sphere model towards the description of time-dependent viscoelastic effects. The viscoelastic network model is constructed by an additive split of the overall response into elastic equilibrium-stress and viscoelastic overstress contributions. The equilibrium response of the network is understood to be related to results obtained from an infinite relaxation process and modeled by our above mentioned elasticity formulation. Inspired by (2004. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 52, 2617–2660), the rate-dependent overstress response is assumed to be driven by two micro-kinematical mechanisms related to the stretch and the area contraction of a tube containing a prototype chain. Firstly, a retraction of fictitiously unconstrained dangling chains is explained by diffusive reptile motions. Secondly, a release of constraint effects due to surrounding chains is modeled by a time-dependence of a tube cross-section area. The latter contribution is considered to be a result of the retraction of forest chains. We outline a distinct micromechanical model for the viscous overstress in terms of the above outlined two micro-kinematic mechanisms and discuss its numerical implementation in context of an affine homogenization procedure of space orientations. The characteristics and modeling capabilities of the proposed micro-sphere model of finite rubber viscoelasticity are reported for a broad spectrum of experimentally-based benchmark simulations. They demonstrate an excellent performance of the model in simulating rate and hystereses effects of rubbery polymers.

An analytical model of rumpling in thermal barrier coatings

Abstract: Multilayer thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) deposited on superalloy turbine blades provide protection from combustion temperatures in excess of 1500 °C. One of the dominant failure modes comprises cracking from undulation growth, or rumpling, of the highly compressed oxide layer that grows between the ceramic top coat and the intermetallic bond coat. In this paper, a mechanistic model providing an analytical approximation of undulation growth is presented for realistic cyclic thermal histories. Thickening, lateral growth straining and high temperature yielding of the oxide layer are taken into account. Undulation growth in TBC systems is highly nonlinear and characterized by more than 20 material and geometric parameters, highlighting the importance of a robust yet computationally efficient model. At temperatures above 600 °C, the bond coat creeps. Thermal expansion mismatch occurs between the superalloy substrate and the oxide layer and, in some systems, the bond coat. In addition, some bond coats, such as PtNiAl, exhibit a martensitic phase transformation accompanied by nearly a 1% linear expansion, giving rise to a large effective mismatch. These two mismatches promote undulation growth. Nonlinear interaction between the stress in the bond coat induced by the constraining effect of the thick substrate and normal tractions applied at the surface of the bond coat by the compressed, undulating oxide layer produces an increment of undulation growth during each thermal cycle, before the stress decays by creep. A series of problems for systems without the ceramic top coat are used to elucidate the mechanics of undulation growth and to replicate trends observed in a series of experiments and in prior finite-element simulations. The model is employed to study for the first time the effect on undulation growth of a shift in the temperature range over which the transformation occurs, as well as the relative importance of the transformation compared to thermal expansion mismatch. The role of the top coat and other viable ways of reducing undulation growth are considered.

Dynamic plasticity and fracture in high density polycrystals: constitutive modeling and numerical simulation

Abstract: Presented is a constitutive framework for modeling the dynamic response of polycrystalline microstructures, posed in a thermodynamically consistent manner and accounting for finite deformation, strain rate dependence of flow stress, thermal softening, thermal expansion, heat conduction, and thermoelastic coupling. Assumptions of linear and square-root dependencies, respectively, of the stored energy and flow stresses upon the total dislocation density enable calculation of the time-dependent fraction of plastic work converted to heat energy. Fracture at grain boundary interfaces is represented explicitly by cohesive zone models. Dynamic finite element simulations demonstrate the influences of interfacial separation, random crystallographic orientation, and grain morphology on the high-rate tensile response of a realistic two-phase material system consisting of comparatively brittle pure tungsten (W) grains embedded in a more ductile matrix of tungsten–nickel iron (W–Ni–Fe) alloy. Aspects associated with constitutive modeling of damage and failure in the homogenized material system are discussed in light of the computational results.

A micro-macro approach to rubber-like materials. Part III: The micro-sphere model of anisotropic Mullins-type damage

Abstract: A micromechanically based non-affine network model for finite rubber elasticity and viscoelasticity was discussed in Parts I and II [Miehe, C., Goktepe, S., Lulei, F., 2004. A micro–macro approach to rubber-like materials. Part I: The non-affine micro-sphere model of rubber elasticity. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 52, 2617–2660; Miehe, C., Goktepe, S., 2005. A micro–macro approach to rubber-like materials. Part II: Viscoelasticity model for polymer networks. J. Mech. Phys. Solids, published on-line, doi: 10.1016/j.jmps.2005.04.006 .] of this work. In this follow-up contribution, we further extend the micro-sphere network model such that it incorporates a deformation-induced softening commonly referred to as the Mullins effect. To this end, a continuum formulation is constructed by a superimposed modeling of a crosslink-to-crosslink (CC) and a particle-to-particle (PP) network. The former is described by the non-affine elastic network model proposed in Part I. The Mullins-type damage phenomenon is embedded into the PP network and micromechanically motivated by a breakdown of bonds between chains and filler particles. Key idea of the constitutive approach is a two-step procedure that includes (i) the set up of micromechanically based constitutive models for a single chain orientation and (ii) the definition of the macroscopic stress response by a directly evaluated homogenization of state variables defined on a micro-sphere of space orientations. In contrast to previous works on the Mullins effect, our formulation inherently describes a deformation-induced anisotropy of the damage as observed in experiments. We show that the experimentally observed permanent set in stress–strain diagrams is achieved by our model in a natural way as an anisotropy effect. The performance of the model is demonstrated by means of several numerical experiments including the solution of boundary-value problems.

On the stability of Kelvin cell foams under compressive loads

Abstract: It has been previously shown that the nonlinearity exhibited in the compressive response of open cell foams is governed by cell ligament buckling. Significant insight into this behavior can be gained by idealizing such foams as periodic, space-filling Kelvin cells assigned several of the geometric characteristics of actual foams. The cells are elongated in the rise direction; the ligaments are assumed to be straight, to have Plateau border cross sections, and nonuniform cross sectional area distribution. The mechanical response of such foams can be established using models of a characteristic cell assigned appropriate periodicity conditions. The ligaments are modeled as shear deformable beams. The periodicity of this microstructure allows the use of Bloch wave theory to conduct the search for the critical state efficiently. The method tailored to the present microstructure is outlined. It is subsequently used to establish the critical states for uniaxial and a set of triaxial loadings. A rich variety of buckling modes are identified which are affected by the anisotropy and the mutliaxiality of the applied loads. Under some loadings the critical modes have long wavelengths which are shown to lead to unstable postbuckling behavior involving localization. Under other loading conditions the modes are either local to the characteristic cell or involve an assemblage of a few such cells. For the cases analyzed local modes were found to have a stable postbuckling response.

A one-dimensional theory of strain-gradient plasticity : Formulation, analysis, numerical results

Abstract: This study develops a one-dimensional theory of strain-gradient plasticity based on: (i) a system of microstresses consistent with a microforce balance; (ii) a mechanical version of the second law that includes, via microstresses, work performed during viscoplastic flow; (iii) a constitutive theory that allows • the free-energy to depend on the gradient of the plastic strain, and • the microstresses to depend on the gradient of the plastic strain-rate. The constitutive equations, whose rate-dependence is of power-law form, are endowed with energetic and dissipative gradient length-scales L and l, respectively, and allow for a gradient-dependent generalization of standard internal-variable hardening. The microforce balance when augmented by the constitutive relations for the microstresses results in a nonlocal flow rule in the form of a partial differential equation for the plastic strain. Typical macroscopic boundary conditions are supplemented by nonstandard microscopic boundary conditions associated with flow, and properties of the resulting boundary-value problem are studied both analytically and numerically. The resulting solutions are shown to exhibit three distinct physical phenomena: (i) standard (isotropic) internal-variable hardening; (ii) energetic hardening, with concomitant back stress, associated with plastic-strain gradients and resulting in boundary layer effects; (iii) dissipative strengthening associated with plastic strain-rate gradients and resulting in a size-dependent increase in yield strength.

Constraint effects in adhesive joint fracture

Abstract: Constraint effects in adhesive joint fracture are investigated by modelling the adherents as well as a finite thickness adhesive layer in which a single row of cohesive zone elements representing the fracture process is embedded. Both the adhesive and the adherents are elastic-plastic with strain hardening. The bond toughness Gamma(work per unit area) is equal to Gamma(0) + Gamma(p), where Gamma(0) is the intrinsic work of fracture associated with the embedded cohesive zone response and FP is the extra contribution to the bond toughness arising from plastic dissipation and stored elastic energy within the adhesive layer. The parameters of the model are identified from experiments on two different adhesives exhibiting very different fracture properties. Most of the tests were performed using the wedge-peel test method for a variety of adhesives, adherents and wedge thicknesses. The model captures the constraint effects resulting from the change in Gamma(p): (i) the plastic dissipation increases with increasing bond line thickness in the fully plastic regime and then decreases to reach a constant value for very thick adhesive layers; (ii) the plastic dissipation in the fully plastic regime increases drastically as the thickness of the adherent decreases. Finally, this model is used to assess a simpler approach which consists of simulating the full adhesive layer as a single row of cohesive elements. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.