K.B. Mustapha ^1,2

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 141-174, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2014.042.141

Abstract This study investigates the sensitivity of the flexural response of a ribconnected system of coupled micro-panels with traction-free surfaces. Idealized as a two-dimensional elastic continuum with a finite transverse stiffness, each micropanels’ behavior is examined within the framework of the biharmonic mathematical model derived from the higher-order, size-dependent strain energy formulation. The model incorporates the material length scale, which bears an associative relationship with the underlying polymer’s averaged Frank elastic constant. Upper estimates of the eigenvalue of the system, under fully clamped edges and simplysupported edges, are determined by the Rayleigh method. The adopted theory for the micro-panel’s behavior takes… More >

J. Aubry¹, P. Navarro¹, S. Marguet¹, J.-F. Ferrero¹, O. Dorival², L. Sohier³, J.-Y. Cognard³

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.39, No.1, pp. 21-47, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2014.039.021

Abstract In this paper a numerical model dedicated to the simulation of the mechanical behaviour of polymeric Rohacell foams is presented. The finite elements model is developed at the scale of the microstructure idealized by a representative unit cell: the truncated octahedron. Observations made on micrographs of Rohacell lead to mesh this representative unit cell as a lattice of beam elements. Each beam is assigned a brittle linear elastic mechanical behaviour in tension and an elastoplastic behaviour in compression. The plasticity in compression is introduced as a way to mimic the buckling of the edges of the cells observed in experimental… More >

Cheng-Hung San¹, Che-Wun Hong^1,2

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.23, No.2, pp. 101-118, 2011, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2011.023.101

Abstract Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is a commonly used electrolytic polymer in lithium ion batteries because of its high viscosity which allows fabricating thin layers. However, its inherent low ionic conductivity must be enhanced by the addition of highly conductive salt additives. Also its weak mechanical strength needs a complementary block, such as poly(styrene) (PS), to strengthen the electrolytic membrane during charging/discharging processes. PS is a strong material to complement the PEO and to create a reinforced copolymer electrolyte termed as the poly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide) (PS-PEO). In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are employed to study the effects of doping the PS constituents… More >

Alamusi¹, Y.L. Liu¹, N. Hu^1,2

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.20, No.2, pp. 101-118, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2010.020.101

Abstract In this work, we propose a 3 dimensional (3D) numerical model to predict the piezoresistivity behaviors of a nanocomposite material made from an insulating polymer filled by carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This material is very hopeful for its application in highly sensitive strain sensor by measuring its piezoresistivity, i.e., the ratio of resistance change versus applied strain. In this numerical approach, a 3D resistor network model is firstly proposed to predict the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite with a large amount of randomly dispersed CNTs under the zero strain state. By focusing on the fact that the piezoresistivity of the nanocomposite… More >

Sujoy Mukherjee¹, Ranjan Ganguli^1,2

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.19, No.2, pp. 105-134, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2010.019.105

Abstract In this study, variational principle is used for dynamic modeling of an Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) flapping wing. The IPMC is an Electro-active Polymer (EAP) which is emerging as a useful smart material for `artificial muscle' applications. Dynamic characteristics of IPMC flapping wings having the same size as the actual wings of three different dragonfly species Aeshna Multicolor, Anax Parthenope Julius and Sympetrum Frequens are analyzed using numerical simulations. An unsteady aerodynamic model is used to obtain the aerodynamic forces. A comparative study of the performances of three IPMC flapping wings is conducted. Among the three species, it is… More >

J. Wang¹, D. C. C. Lam²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.17, No.3, pp. 215-232, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2010.017.215

Abstract Selected elastic moduli of nanocomposites are higher than the elastic moduli of microcomposites. Molecular immobilization and crystallization at the interfaces had been proposed as potential causes, but studies suggested that these effects are minor and cannot be used to explain the magnitude observed in nanocomposites with >3nm particles. Alternately, molecular simulation of polymer deformation showed that rotation gradients can lead to additional molecular rotations and stiffen the matrix. The stiffening is characterized by the nanostiffening material parameter, l2. In this investigation, an analytical expression for nanostiffening in nanocomposites was developed using finite element analysis. The nanostiffening in nanocomposites was determined… More >

M. Vogler¹, G. Ernst¹, R. Rolfes¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.16, No.1, pp. 25-50, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2010.016.025

Abstract In this article, a constitutive formulation of a transversely-isotropic material and failure model for fiber-reinforced polymers is presented comprising pre-failure material nonlinearities, a novel invariant based quadratic failure criterion (IQC) as well as post failure material softening. The failure surface of the IQ criterion is assumed to take the influence of triaxiality on fracture into account. Further, a distinction between fiber failure and inter-fiber failure is conducted. Material softening is governed by a fracture energy formulation and the introduction of an internal length. The constitutive model is implemented into a programming user interface of the commercial finite element program Abaqus.… More >

Oliver K. Johnson¹, Calvin J. Gardner¹, David T. Fullwood¹, Brent L.Adams¹, Nathan Hansen², George Hansen²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.15, No.2, pp. 87-112, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2010.015.087

Abstract A novel nickel nanostrand-silicone composite material at an optimized 15 vol% filler concentration demonstrates a dramatic piezoresistive effect with a negative gauge factor (ratio of percent change in resistivity to strain). The composite volume resistivity decreases in excess of three orders of magnitude at a 60% strain. The piezoresistivity does decrease slightly as a function of cycles, but not significantly as a function of time. The material's resistivity is also temperature dependent, once again with a negative dependence.
The evidence indicates that nickel strands are physically separated by matrix material even at high volume fractions, and points to a charge… More >

J.A.Ferreira^1,2, P. de Oliveira², P. da Silva³, D. M. G. Comissiong⁴

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 17-48, 2009, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2009.013.017

Abstract A phenomenological formulation is adopted to investigate desorption in polymers. The speed of the front is studied and the well-posedness of the general model is analyzed. Numerical simulations illustrating the dynamics of the desorption process described by the proposed model are included. More >