Trenton M. Ricks¹, Thomas E. Lacy, Jr.^1,2, Brett A. Bednarcyk³, Steven M.Arnold³, John W. Hutchins¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.40, No.2, pp. 99-130, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2014.040.099

Abstract A multiscale modeling methodology was developed for continuous fiber composites that incorporates a statistical distribution of fiber strengths into coupled multiscale micromechanics/ finite element (FE) analyses. A modified twoparameter Weibull cumulative distribution function, which accounts for the effect of fiber length on the probability of failure, was used to characterize the statistical distribution of fiber strengths. A parametric study using the NASA Micromechanics Analysis Code with the Generalized Method of Cells (MAC/GMC) was performed to assess the effect of variable fiber strengths on local composite failure within a repeating unit cell (RUC) and subsequent global failure. The NASA code FEAMAC… More >

Brett A. Bednarcyk¹, Phillip W. Yarrington², Steven M. Arnold³

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 229-254, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.035.229

Abstract Fatigue life prediction capabilities have been incorporated into the HyperSizer Composite Analysis and Structural Sizing Software. The fatigue damage model is introduced at the fiber/matrix constituent scale through HyperSizer’s coupling with NASA’s MAC/GMC micromechanics software. This enables prediction of the micro scale damage progression throughout stiffened and sandwich panels as a function of cycles leading ultimately to simulated panel failure. The fatigue model implementation uses a cycle jumping technique such that, rather than applying a specified number of additional cycles, a specified local damage increment is specified and the number of additional cycles to reach this damage increment is calculated.… 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 >

O. U. Ojeda¹ and T. Çagınˇ ¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.16, No.2, pp. 127-174, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2010.016.127

Abstract The large discrepancy in length and time scales at which characteristic processes of energetic materials are of relevance pose a major challenge for current simulation techniques. We present a systematic study of crystalline energetic materials of different sensitivity and analyze their properties at different theoretical levels. Information like equilibrium structures, vibrational frequencies, conformational rearrangement and mechanical properties like stiffness and elastic properties can be calculated within the density functional theory (DFT) using different levels of approximations. Dynamical properties are obtained by computations using molecular dynamics at finite temperatures through the use of classical force fields. Effect of defects on structure… More >

J. Ghanbari¹, R. Naghdabadi^1,2

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.10, No.1, pp. 41-64, 2009, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2009.010.041

Abstract Continuum-based modeling of nanostructures is an efficient and suitable method to study the behavior of these structures when the deformation can be considered homogeneous. This paper is concerned about multiscale nonlinear tensorial constitutive modeling of carbon nanostructures based on the interatomic potentials. The proposed constitutive model is a tensorial equation relating the second Piola-Kirchhoff stress tensor to Green-Lagrange strain tensor. For carbon nanotubes, some modifications are made on the planar representative volume element (RVE) to account for the curved atomic structure resulting a non-planar RVE. Using the proposed constitutive model, the elastic behavior of the graphene sheet and carbon nanotube… More >