Influence of Random Geometry on Effective Properties and Damage Formation In Composite Materials

Abstract

We study the effective moduli and damage formation in out-of-plane elasticity (i.e., two-dimensional conductivity) of matrix-inclusion composite materials with either randomly or periodically distributed inclusions (fibers). In this paper, we focus our attention on composites with isotropic phases, both of which have elastic-brittle response in damage. The elastic-brittle behavior is modeled with the help of a fine mesh finite-difference system, whereby damage evolution is simulated by sequentially removing/breaking bonds in this lattice in accordance with the state of stress/strain concentrations. The composite systems are specified by two parameters: stiffness ratio and strength ratio of both phases. In particular, we investigate the following aspects: basic classification of effective constitutive responses, geometric patterns of damage, varying degrees of randomness of the inclusions’ arrangements, and mesh resolutions of continuum phases.