Micromechanics

About: Micromechanics is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 6000 publications have been published within this topic receiving 162635 citations.

Characterizing and Modeling Mechanical Properties of Nanocomposites-Review and Evaluation

Abstract: This paper presents a critical review of the current work of experiment, theory of micro-nanomechanics, and numerical analysis on characterizing mechanical properties of nanocomposites. First, the classifications of nanomaterials are presented. Then nanoindentation testing and the corresponding finite element modeling are discussed, followed by analytical modeling stiffness of nanocomposites. The analytical models discussed include Voigt and Reuss bounds, Hashin and Shtrikman bounds, Halpin–Tsai model, Cox model, and various Mori and Tanaka models. These micromechanics models predict stiffness of nanocomposites with both aligned and randomly oriented fibers. The emphasis is on numerical modeling includes molecular dynamics modeling and finite element modeling. Three different approaches are discussed in finite element modeling, i.e. multiscale representative volume element (RVE) modeling, unit cell modeling, and object-oriented modeling. Finally, the mechanism of nanocomposite mechanical property enhancement and the ways to improve stiffness and fracture toughness for nanocomposites are discussed.

Computational micromechanics of the transverse and shear behavior of unidirectional fiber reinforced polymers including environmental effects

Abstract: Qualification of Fiber Reinforced Polymer materials (FRP’s) for manufacturing of structural components in the aerospace industry is usually associated with extensive and costly experimental campaigns. The burden of testing is immense and materials should be characterized under different loading states (tension, compression, shear) and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) to probe their structural integrity during service life. Recent developments in multiscale simulation, together with increased computational power and improvements in modeling tools, can be used to alleviate this scenario. In this work, high-fidelity simulations of the material behavior at the micro level are used to predict ply properties and ascertain the effect of ply constituents and microstructure on the homogenized ply behavior. This approach relies on the numerical analysis of representative volume elements equipped with physical models of the ply constituents. Its main feature is the ability to provide fast predictions of ply stiffness and strength properties for different environmental conditions of temperature and humidity, in agreement with the experimental results, showing the potential to reduce the time and costs required for material screening and characterization.