Mechanical properties of composite materials can be improved by tailoring their microstructures. Optimal microstructures of composites, which ensure desired properties of composite materials, can be determined in computational experiments. The subject of this book is the computational analysis of interrelations between mechanical properties (e.g., strength, damage resistance stiffness) and microstructures of composites. The methods of mesomechanics of composites are reviewed, and applied to the modelling of the mechanical behaviour of different groups of composites. Individual chapters are devoted to the computational analysis of the microstructure- mechanical properties relationships of particle reinforced composites, functionally graded and particle clusters reinforced composites, interpenetrating phase and unidirectional fiber reinforced composites, and machining tools materials.

Computational Mechanics of Composite Materials lays stress on the advantages of combining theoretical advancements in applied mathematics and mechanics with the probabilistic approach to experimental data in meeting the practical needs of engineers. Features: Programs for the probabilistic homogenisation of composite structures with finite numbers of components allow composites to be treated as homogeneous materials with simpler behaviours. Treatment of defects in the interfaces within heterogeneous materials and those arising in composite objects as a whole by stochastic modelling. New models for the reliability of composite structures. Novel numerical algorithms for effective Monte-Carlo simulation. Computational Mechanics of Composite Materials will be of interest to academic and practising civil, mechanical, electronic and aerospatial engineers, to materials scientists and to applied mathematicians requiring accurate and usable models of the behaviour of composite materials.

This title brings together a variety of papers presented at the 9th annual Meso meeting in 2007. The topics selected for Meso 2007 are designed to illustrate the relation of thresholds to multiscaling: Flow through capillary tubes in contrast to pipes Laminar and turbulent flow transition Heat convection of thin wires in contrast to cylinders Electrical conductance of macro- and nano-circuits Rubbery and glassy polymers Single- and poly-crystal behavior Strength of wires and round cylindrical bars Uni-axial and multi-axial material: linear and non-linear response Thin and thick plate behavior Brittle and ductile fracture Small and large crack growth behavior Low and high temperature effects Local and global material property characteristics Small and large bodies: size and time effects Specimen and structure

Comprehensive coverage of micro and macro mechanics of composite materials. * Case studies on designing composite materials and laminates. * Uses both SI and U.S. Customary units throughout. * This is the only book that covers laminated tubes and damage mechanics and the only one that presents an extensive array of actual experimental results for the nonlinear, inelastic response of polymeric and metallic matrix composites.

Micromechanics of Composites: Multipole Expansion Approach is the first book to introduce micromechanics researchers to a more efficient and accurate alternative to computational micromechanics, which requires heavy computational effort and the need to extract meaningful data from a multitude of numbers produced by finite element software code. In this book Dr. Kushch demonstrates the development of the multipole expansion method, including recent new results in the theory of special functions and rigorous convergence proof of the obtained series solutions. The complete analytical solutions and accurate numerical data contained in the book have been obtained in a unified manner for a number of the multiple inclusion models of finite, semi- and infinite heterogeneous solids. Contemporary topics of micromechanics covered in the book include composites with imperfect and partially debonded interface, nanocomposites, cracked solids, statistics of the local fields, and brittle strength of disordered composites. - Contains detailed analytical and numerical analyses of a variety of micromechanical multiple inclusion models, providing clear insight into the physical nature of the problems under study - Provides researchers with a reliable theoretical framework for developing the micromechanical theories of a composite's strength, brittle/fatigue damage development and other properties - Includes a large amount of highly accurate numerical data and plots for a variety of model problems, serving as a benchmark for testing the applicability of existing approximate models and accuracy of numerical solutions

Engineering materials show a pronounced heterogeneity on a smaller scale that influences the macroscopic constitutive behavior. Algorithms for the periodic discretization of microstructures are presented. These are used within the Nonuniform Transformation Field Analysis (NTFA) which is an order reduction based nonlinear homogenization method with micro-mechanical background. Theoretical and numerical aspects of the method are discussed and its computational efficiency is validated.

Composites are a class of material, which receives much attention not only because it is on the cutting edge of active material research fields due to appearance of many new types of composites, e.g., nanocomposites and bio-medical composites, but also because there are a great deal of promises for their potential applications in various industries ranging from aerospace to construction due to their various outstanding properties. This book mainly deals with fabrication and property characterization of various composites by focusing on the following topics: functional and structural nanocomposites, numerical and theoretical modelling of various damages in long fiber reinforced composites and textile composites, design, processing and manufacturing technologies and their effects on mechanical properties of composites, characterization of mechanical and physical properties of various composites, and metal and ceramic matrix composites. This book has been divided into five sections to cover the above contents.

In this, its second corrected printing, Zohdi and Wriggers’ illuminating text presents a comprehensive introduction to the subject. The authors include in their scope basic homogenization theory, microstructural optimization and multifield analysis of heterogeneous materials. This volume is ideal for researchers and engineers, and can be used in a first-year course for graduate students with an interest in the computational micromechanical analysis of new materials.

Summary: A Generalized Multiscale Analysis Approach brings together comprehensive background information on the multiscale nature of the composite, constituent material behaviour, damage models and key techniques for multiscale modelling, as well as presenting the findings and methods, developed over a lifetime's research, of three leading experts in the field. The unified approach presented in the book for conducting multiscale analysis and design of conventional and smart composite materials is also applicable for structures with complete linear and nonlinear material behavior, with numerous applications provided to illustrate use. Modeling composite behaviour is a key challenge in research and industry; when done efficiently and reliably it can save money, decrease time to market with new innovations and prevent component failure.

This book introduces the computational tool, Computational Grains, used in micromechanical modeling of heterogeneous materials. Presenting the theory step-by-step and with MATLAB codes, the material is accessible and practical for readers. Ideal for graduate students and researchers in mechanical and aerospace engineering and applied mechanics.