Nanostructured interfaces for enhancing mechanical properties of composites: Computational micromechanical studies

Computational micromechanical studies of the effect of nanostructuring and nanoengineering of interfaces, phase and grain boundaries of materials on the mechanical properties and strength of materials and the potential of interface nanostructuring to enhance the materials properties are reviewed. Several groups of materials (composites, nanocomposites, nanocrystalline metals, wood) are considered with view on the effect of nanostructured interfaces on their properties. The structures of various nanostructured interfaces (protein structures and mineral bridges in biopolymers in nacre and microfibrils in wood; pores, interphases and nanoparticles in fiber/matrix interfaces of polymer fiber reinforced composites and nanocomposites; dislocations and precipitates in grain boundaries of nanocrystalline metals) and the methods of their modeling are discussed. It is concluded that nanostructuring of interfaces and phase boundaries is a powerful tool for controlling the material deformation and strength behavior, and allows to enhance the mechanical properties and strength of the materials. Heterogeneous interfaces, with low stiffness leading to the localization of deformation, and nanoreinforcements oriented normally to the main reinforcing elements can ensure the highest damage resistance of materials.     

Evaluation of interfacial strength between fiber and matrix based on cohesive zone modeling

This paper presents a measurement technique of interfacial strength considering non-rigid bonding on a fiber/matrix interface modeled as a cohesive surface. By focusing on the stress concentration near a fiber crack obtained from a single-fiber fragmentation test, the stress contours in matrix observed by photoelasticity can be related to the interfacial strength by defining a characteristic length. An equation expressing the relationship between the characteristic length on the stress contour and the interfacial strength was derived, and validated using finite element analysis. The primary advantage of proposed measurement technique is that only a single fiber crack, which usually occurs within elastic deformation of matrix, is required for the evaluation of interfacial strength, whereas saturated fiber fragmentation is necessary in the conventional method. Herein, a sample application was demonstrated using a single carbon fiber and epoxy specimen, and an average interfacial strength of 23.8 MPa was successfully obtained.     

Failure response of fiber-epoxy unidirectional laminate under transverse tensile/compressive loading using finite-volume micromechanics

The transverse damage initiation and extension of a unidirectional laminated composite under transverse tensile/compressive loading are evaluated by means of Representative Volume Element (RVE) presented in this paper based on an advanced homogenization model called finite-volume direct averaging micromechanics (FVDAM) theory. Fiber, fiber-matrix interface and matrix phases are considered within the RVE in determining fiber-matrix interface debonding and matrix cracking. The simulated fracture patterns are shown to be in good agreement with experimental observations.     

Development of a new constitutive model considering the shearing effect for anisotropic progressive damage in fiber-reinforced composites

A corrected Linde's criterion considering the shearing effect for anisotropic progressive damage is developed to describe the elastic-brittle behavior of fiber-reinforced composites. Based on this criterion, a new three-dimensional (3D) nonlinear finite element model for static damage of unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites is proposed within a framework of continuum mechanics. The model is validated by taking 3D braided composites as example to study the relationship between the damage of materials and the effective elastic properties. The impregnated unidirectional composites are treated as homogeneous and transversely isotropic materials, whose properties are calculated by the Chamis' equations. The more accurate failure mechanisms of composites are revealed in the simulation process, and the effects of braided parameters on the uniaxial tensile behavior of 3D braided composites are investigated. Comparison of numerical results and experimental data is also carried out, which shows a better agreement than that of former study using the 3D Hashin's criterion.     

Predicting microdroplet force response using a multiscale modeling approach

An axisymmetric microscale finite element model of a microdroplet test specimen is developed where the structural response of the fiber–droplet interface is accounted for by surface-based cohesive behavior. In this study, the interface cohesive response is estimated using a nanoscale interface finite element model that explicitly includes the effects of fiber surface topography and the interphase region. The interphase behavior in the nanoscale interface model is calibrated using indirect experimental data. Once calibrated, the fiber surface topography in the nanoscale interface model is modified in order to estimate the parameters defining the surface-based cohesive behavior of similar fiber–matrix systems with different fiber topography. The effect of altering the fiber topography on the force response of the microdroplet test can then be predicted by the microdroplet FE model. Comparing the simulation results with experimental data from the literature shows that this multiscale modeling approach gives accurate predictions for the interfacial shear stress.     

Interfacial damage in biopolymer composites reinforced using hemp fibres: Finite element simulation and experimental investigation

The present study aims at considering the effect of interfacial damage on the mechanical performance of a starchy composite reinforced using hemp fibres. Mechanical behaviour is approached experimentally using tensile testing coupled to digital image acquisition. Thermomoulded samples with single fibres are designed to allow sample testing perpendicularly to the direction of fibre alignment. Experimental evidence of localised damage is then highlighted in the elasticity stage. Finite element computation is attempted to explain the observed damage using an adequate mechanical model that considers weak adhesion between phases and dynamic evolution of damage. Predicted results show that the FE model is able to reproduce the observed behaviour suggesting that local damage evolution is a serious mechanism affecting the performance of the studied composite.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of orientation induced interfacial enhancement between single walled carbon nanotube and aromatic polymers chains

In this work, molecular dynamics simulations were utilized to probe the interfacial enhancement between aromatic polymers and single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) induced by molecular orientation. Two aromatic polymers, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and polystyrene (PS) were chosen for comparison study. It was found that orientation of polymer chain could bring about an obvious promotion in interfacial interaction for both systems. In PPS/SWCNT systems, the increased interfacial interaction energy was due to the easy formation of offset π–π stacking, while in PS/SWCNT systems the formation of edge-to-face π–π stacking contributed to the enhancement. Polymer/SWCNT composites were also constructed and a similar interfacial enhancement was observed as well. The mechanism of the orientation induced enhancement was a combination of forming more π–π stacking and better coating effect. This will help to deepen the understanding of interfacial interaction in aromatic polymers/carbon nanotubes composites and guide the fabrication of high performance materials.     

The finite element discretized symplectic method for interface cracks

The method of symplectic series discretized by finite element is introduced for the stress analysis of structures having cracks at the interface of dissimilar materials. The crack is modeled by the conventional finite elements dividing into two regions: near and far fields. The unknowns in the far field are as usual. In the near field, a Hamiltonian system is established for applying the method of separable variables and the solutions are expanded in exact symplectic eigenfunctions. By performing a transformation from the large amount of finite element unknowns to a small set of coefficients of the symplectic expansion, the stress intensity factors, the displacements and stresses in the singular region are obtained simultaneously without any post-processing. The numerical results are obtained for various cracks lying at the bi-material interface, and are found to be in good agreement with the reference solutions for the interface crack problems. Some practical examples are also given.     

2D and 3D imaging of fatigue failure mechanisms of 3D woven composites

A detailed investigation of the failure mechanisms for angle-interlocked (AI) and modified layer-to-layer (MLL) three dimensional (3D) woven composites under tension–tension (T–T) fatigue loading has been conducted using surface optical microscopy, cross-sectional SEM imaging, and non-destructive X-ray computed tomography (CT). X-ray microCT has revealed how cracks including surface matrix cracks, transverse matrix cracks, fibre/matrix interfacial debonding or delamination develop, and has delineated the complex 3D morphology of these cracks in relation to fibre architecture. For both weaves examined, transverse cracks soon become uniformly distributed in the weft yarns. A higher crack density was found in the AI composite than the MLL composite. Transverse cracking initiates in the fibre rich regions of weft yarns rather than the resin rich regions. Delaminations in the failed MLL specimen were more extensive than the AI specimen. It is suggested that for the MLL composite that debonding between the binder yarns and surrounding material is the predominant damage mechanism.     

Modelling complex progressive failure in notched composite laminates with varying sizes and stacking sequences

The emergence of advanced computational methods and theoretical models for damage progression in composites has heralded the promise of virtual testing of composite structures with orthotropic lay-ups, complex geometries and multiple material systems. Recent studies have revealed that specimen size and material orthotropy has a major effect on the open hole tension (OHT) strength of composite laminates. The aim of this investigation is develop a progressive failure model for orthotropic composite laminates, employing stepwise discretization of the traction–separation relationship, to predict the effect of specimen size and laminate orthotropy on the OHT strength. The results show that a significant interaction exists between delamination and in-plane damage, so that models without considering delamination would over-predict strength. Furthermore, it is found that the increase in fracture toughness of blocked plies must be incorporated in the model to achieve good correlation with experimental results.     

Numerical and analytical modeling of aligned short fiber composites including imperfect interfaces

Finite element calculations were used to bound the modulus of aligned, short-fiber composites with randomly arranged fibers, including high fiber to matrix modulus ratios and high fiber aspect ratios. The bounds were narrow for low modulus ratio, but far apart for high ratio. These numerical experiments were used to evaluate prior numerical and analytical methods for modeling short-fiber composites. Prior numerical methods based on periodic boundary conditions were revealed as acceptable for low modulus ratio, but degenerate to lower bound modulus at high ratio. Numerical experiments were also compared to an Eshelby analysis and to an new, enhanced shear lag model. Both models could predict modulus for low modulus ratio, but also degenerated to lower bound modulus at high ratio. The new shear lag model accounts for stress transfer on fiber ends and includes imperfect interface effects; it was confirmed as accurate by comparison to finite element calculations.     

Reliability and adaptability of the analytical models proposed for the FRP systems to the Steel Reinforced Polymer and Steel Reinforced Grout strengthening systems

The paper presents a theoretical prediction of the structural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams externally strengthened to flexure by using a unidirectional ultra-high tensile strength steel (UHTSS) reinforcing mesh embedded in an inorganic matrix (Steel Reinforced Grout, SRG) or in an organic matrix (Steel Reinforced Polymer, SRP).For these innovative composite materials are not yet available in literature specific standard documents, guidelines or analytical models capable to predict the structural behavior of the strengthened elements. Therefore, in order to evaluate the flexural strength of the strengthened beams some analytical models to predict the maximum axial strain developed in Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) systems at the onset of intermediate debonding failure, have been used.The goal is to assess the effectiveness of current analytical models used, up to day, to FRP strengthening systems to the SRG and SRP strengthening systems. For this aim, a database of experimental results on RC beams strengthened in bending by bonded SRG and SRP systems has been collected.The comparisons between the theoretical predictions and the experimental data, in terms of debonding strain values, load carrying capacity, load-midspan deflection curves, have highlighted the reliability and adaptability of the current analytical models.Finally, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the SRG and SRP systems for strengthening RC beams a parametric study was also carried out.     

Evolution of damage during the fatigue of 3D woven glass-fibre reinforced composites subjected to tension–tension loading observed by time-lapse X-ray tomography

The development of fatigue damage in a glass fibre modified layer-to-layer three dimensional (3D) woven composite has been followed by time-lapse X-ray computed tomography (CT). The damage was found to be distributed regularly throughout the composite according to the repeating unit, even at large fractions of the total life. This suggests that the through-thickness constraint provides a high level of stress redistribution and damage tolerance. The different types of damage have been segmented, allowing a quantitative analysis of damage evolution as a function of the number of fatigue cycles. Transverse cracks were found to initiate within the weft after just 0.1% of life, followed soon after (by 1% of life) by longitudinal debonding cracks. The number and extent of these multiplied steadily over the fatigue life, whereas the spacing of transverse cracks along with weft/binder debonding saturated at 60% of life and damage in the resin pockets occurred only just before final failure.     

Three dimensional nonlinear model of beam tests for bond of near-surface mounted FRP rods in concrete

The use of near-surface mounted FRP reinforcement in reinforced concrete structures has seen a considerable increase in recent years as a strengthening method. Beam pull-out tests for near-surface reinforcement allow obtaining the local bond–slip behavior of a bonded joint. The current paper deals with the three-dimensional modeling of this kind of test with the purpose of suitably characterizing the mechanics of the bond between FRP rods and concrete. Different alternatives to represent the FRP bar – concrete interface have been evaluated. Furthermore, to do this modeling, a PID controller has also been designed to conduct the numerical tests correctly in order to properly capture the softening branch of the load-slip behavior. The numerical FE simulations were compared with previously published experimental measurements. Load-slip predictions compare well with the corresponding experimental data. The proposed model is also able to predict the failure mode at the FRP-concrete interface. Some parametric studies have also been carried out.     

Modelling the influence of microstructural morphology and triple junctions on hydrogen transport in nanopolycrystalline nickel

Hydrogen transport in nanopolycrystalline (NPC) face centred cubic (FCC) nickel has received considerable attention as a result of the material's unique structural embrittlement behaviour. Triple junctions, where three grain boundaries meet, play an important role in hydrogen diffusion. Experiments have indicated that hydrogen transport at a triple junction (TJ) is orders of magnitude greater. In this contribution, a multiphase NPC model is proposed and used to investigate the influence on hydrogen transport of TJs within the surface of the NPC nickel using finite nanostructural element analyses. This 2D multiphase NPC model increases the density of triple junctions as the grain size reduces. The multiphase NPC model consists of two phases comprising nano grain interiors (GI) and intergranular phases. The intergranular (Ig) phase is divided into grain boundary affected zones (GBAZ) regions and TJ regions. The results of this finite nanostructural analysis show that hydrogen transport is enhanced at TJs and the bulk diffusion of hydrogen in NPC material is faster as the volume fraction of TJ increases and nano grain size decreases. The accumulation of hydrogen in three phase (GI, GBAZ, and TJ) microstructures is higher than the two phase (GI and Ig) microstructure case. The accumulation of hydrogen in TJ and Ig are heterogeneous in NPC nickel. The importance of the microstructural morphology in terms of the presence of pores, fine grains in TJ, changes in the shape of TJ with changes in the density of TJ and a TJ effect related to hydrogen transport in NPC nickel is all evidenced. This means that the TJ and microstructural morphology cannot be neglected when predicting hydrogen transport in a NPC nickel.     

Explicit modeling the progressive interface damage in fibrous composite: Analytical vs. numerical approach

Two micromechanical, representative unit cell type models of fiber reinforced composite (FRC) are applied to simulate explicitly onset and accumulation of scattered local damage in the form of interface debonding. The first model is based on the analytical, multipole expansion type solution of the multiple inclusion problem by means of complex potentials. The second, finite element model of FRC is based on the cohesive zone model of interface. Simulation of progressive debonding in FRC using the many-fiber models of composite has been performed. The advantageous features and applicability areas of both models are discussed. It has been shown that the developed models provide detailed analysis of the progressive debonding phenomena including the interface crack cluster formation, overall stiffness reduction and induced anisotropy of the effective elastic moduli of composite.     

Shear capacity of reinforced concrete members strengthened in shear with FRP by using strut-and-tie models and genetic algorithms

Substantial research has been performed on the shear strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams with externally bonded fibre reinforced polymers (FRP). However, referring to shear, many questions remain opened given the complexity of the failure mechanism of RC structures strengthened in shear with FRP. This paper is concerned with the development of a simple automatic procedure for predicting the shear capacity of RC beams shear strengthened with FRP. The proposed model is based on an extension of the strut-and-tie models used for the shear strength design of RC beams to the case of shear strengthened beams with FRP. By the formulation of an optimization problem solved by using genetic algorithms, the optimal configuration of the strut-and-tie mechanism of an FRP shear strengthened RC beam is determined. Furthermore, unlike the conventional truss approaches, in the optimal configuration, compressive struts are not enforced to be parallel, which represents more consistently the physical reality of the flow of forces. The proposed model is validated against experimental data collected from the existing literature and comparisons with predictions of some design proposals are also performed.     

A promising way to model cracks in composite using Discrete Element Method

In this article, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is taking advantage for the damage modeling of a composite material. At this stage of work, a Representative Elementary Volume (REV) of an unidirectional composite material modeled in 3D is considered to prove the relevance of the approach. The interest to introduce the Discrete Elements (DE) on the scale of constituents (fiber and matrix) is to be able to report local mechanisms of degradation such as the matrix micro-fissuring, the fiber/matrix debonding and the break of fiber, appropriate to this type of material. The short-term objective is to use this DEM modeling to treat locally the damages induced by an impact loading associated with a conventional Finite Element modeling beyond the damaged zone. First, the geometrical modelings of the fiber and the matrix are presented. The phase of calibration of the DE model intrinsic parameters governing the fiber and matrix behavior and the fiber/matrix interface is afterward retailed. At this stage, each constituent is assumed to be brittle elastic. Then, simulations of longitudinal and transversal tensions but also of in plane and out of plane shearing are performed on the REV using DEM. The results are discussed and compared with those known for the literature. The capacity of the present DEM to capture the crack paths is particularly highlighted.