Computational model for short-fiber composites with eigenstrain formulation of boundary integral equations

Abstract

A computational model is proposed for short-fiber reinforced materials with the eigenstrain formulation of the boundary integral equations (BIE) and solved with the newly developed boundary point method (BPM). The model is closely derived from the concept of the equivalent inclusion of Eshelby tensors. Eigenstrains are iteratively determined for each short-fiber embedded in the matrix with various properties via the Eshelby tensors, which can be readily obtained beforehand either through analytical or numerical means. As unknown variables appear only on the boundary of the solution domain, the solution scale of the inhomogeneity problem with the model is greatly reduced. This feature is considered significant because such a traditionally time-consuming problem with inhomogeneity can be solved most cost-effectively compared with existing numerical models of the FEM or the BEM. The numerical examples are presented to compute the overall elastic properties for various short-fiber reinforced composites over a representative volume element (RVE), showing the validity and the effectiveness of the proposed computational modal and the solution procedure.