P. Yuvaraj¹, A. Ramachandra Murthy², Nagesh R. Iyer³, Pijush Samui⁴, S.K. Sekar⁵

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.36, No.1, pp. 73-97, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.036.073

Abstract This paper presents Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) model to predict the fracture characteristics of high strength and ultra high strength concrete beams. Fracture characteristics include fracture energy (GF), critical stress intensity factor (KIC) and critical crack tip opening displacement (CTODc). This paper also presents the details of development of MARS model to predict failure load (Pmax) of high strength concrete (HSC) and ultra high strength concrete (UHSC) beam specimens. Characterization of mix and testing of beams of high strength and ultra strength concrete have been described. Methodologies for evaluation of fracture energy, critical stress intensity factor and critical crack… More >

M. Chatiri¹, A. Matzenmiller²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 255-283, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.035.255

Abstract This article presents a three dimensional constitutive model for anisotropic damage to describe the elastic-brittle behavior of unidirectional fibrereinforced laminated composites. The primary objective of the article focuses on the three dimensional relationship between damage of the material and the effective elastic properties for the purpose of stress analysis of composite structures, in extension to the two dimensional model in Matzenmiller, Lubliner and Taylor (1995). A homogenized continuum is adopted for the constitutive theory of anisotropic damage and elasticity. Damage initiation criteria are based on Puck failure criterion for first ply failure and progressive micro crack propagation is based on… More >

L. N. McCartney¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 183-227, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.035.183

Abstract Analytical stress transfer models are described that enable estimates to be made of the stress and displacement fields that are associated with fibre fractures or matrix cracks in unidirectional fibre reinforced composites. The models represent a clear improvement on popular shear-lag based methodologies. The model takes account of thermal residual stresses, and is based on simplifying assumptions that the axial stress in the fibre is independent of the radial coordinate, and similarly for the matrix. A representation for both the stress and displacement fields is derived that satisfies exactly the equilibrium equations, the required interface continuity equations for displacement and… More >

E. J. Pineda¹, B. A. Bednarcyk¹, A. M. Waas², S. M. Arnold¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.35, No.2, pp. 119-154, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.035.119

Abstract A mesh objective crack band model was implemented within the generalized method of cells micromechanics theory. This model was linked to a macroscale finite element model to predict post-peak strain softening in composite materials. Although a mesh objective theory was implemented at the microscale, it does not preclude pathological mesh dependence at the macroscale. To ensure mesh objectivity at both scales, the energy density and the energy release rate must be preserved identically across the two scales. This requires a consistent characteristic length or localization limiter. The effects of scaling (or not scaling) the dimensions of the microscale repeating unit… More >

K. C. Liu¹, S. M. Arnold²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.35, No.1, pp. 35-65, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.035.035

Abstract It is well known that failure of a material is a locally driven event. In the case of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), significant variations in the microstructure of the composite exist and their significance on both deformation and life response need to be assessed. Examples of these variations include changes in the fiber tow shape, tow shifting/nesting and voids within and between tows. In the present work, the influence of many of these scale specific architectural features of woven ceramic composite are examined stochastically at both the macroscale (woven repeating unit cell (RUC)) and structural scale (idealized using multiple RUCs).… More >

Paria Naghipour¹, Evan J. Pineda², Steven M. Arnold²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.35, No.1, pp. 17-33, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.035.017

Abstract The micromechanics theory, generalized method of cells (GMC), was employed to simulate the debonding of fiber/matrix interfaces, within a repeating unit cell subjected to global, cyclic loading, utilizing a cyclic crack growth law. Cycle dependent, interfacial debonding was implemented as a new module to the available GMC formulation. The degradation of interfacial stresses with applied load cycles was achieved via progressive evolution of the interfacial compliance A periodic repeating unit cell, representing the fiber/matrix architecture of a composite, was subjected to combined normal and shear loadings, and degradation of the global transverse stress in successive cycles was monitored. The obtained… More >

Jia-Liang Le¹, Bing Xue¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.34, No.3, pp. 251-264, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.034.251

Abstract It has been recently shown that the nominal structural strength of metal-composite structures depends on the structure size, and such dependence is strongly influenced by the stress singularities. Nevertheless, previous studies only focused on structures that exhibit very strong stress singularities, which are close to the crack-like stress singularity. In the actual engineering designs, due to the mismatch of material properties and complex structural geometries, many metalcomposite structures may contain stress singularities that are much weaker than the crack-like stress singularity. This paper presents a numerical study on the size dependence of scaling of fracture of metal-composite hybrid structures for… More >

Chandra Veer Singh^1,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.34, No.3, pp. 227-249, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.034.227

Abstract A non-linear damage model is developed for the prediction of stiffness degradation in composite laminates due to transverse matrix cracking. The model follows the framework of a recently developed synergistic damage mechanics (SDM) approach which combines the strengths of micro-damage mechanics and continuum damage mechanics (CDM) through the so-called constraint parameters. A common limitation of the current CDM and SDM models has been the tendency to over-predict stiffness changes at high crack densities due to linearity inherent in their stiffness-damage relationships. The present paper extends this SDM approach by including higher order damage terms in the characterization of ply cracking… More >

A. Ataş¹, C. Soutis²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.34, No.3, pp. 199-226, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.034.199

Abstract A strength prediction method is presented for double-lap single fastener bolted joints of cross-ply carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite laminates using cohesive zone elements (CZEs). Three-dimensional finite element models were developed and CZEs were inserted into subcritical damage planes identified from X-ray radiographs. The method makes a compromise between the experimental correlation factors (dependant on lay-up, stacking sequence and joint geometry) and three material properties (fracture energy, interlaminar strength and nonlinear shear stress-strain response). Strength of the joints was determined from the predicted load-displacement curves considering sub-laminate and plylevel scaling effects. The predictions are in a reasonable agreement with… More >

Chih-Wen Chang^1,2, Chein-Shan Liu³

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.34, No.2, pp. 143-175, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.034.143

Abstract The nonlinear Poisson problems in heat diffusion governed by elliptic type partial differential equations are solved by a modified globally optimal iterative algorithm (MGOIA). The MGOIA is a purely iterative method for searching the solution vector x without using the invert of the Jacobian matrix D. Moreover, we reveal the weighting parameter αc in the best descent vector w = αcE + DTE and derive the convergence rate and find a criterion of the parameter γ. When utilizing αc and γ, we can further accelerate the convergence speed several times. Several numerical experiments are carefully discussed and validated the proposed… More >