Abstract
Modeling the random fiber distribution of a fiber-reinforced composite is of great importance for studying the progressive failure behavior of the material on the micro scale. In this paper, we develop a new algorithm for generating random representative volume elements (RVEs) with statistical equivalent fiber distribution against the actual material microstructure. The realistic statistical data is utilized as inputs of the new method, which is archived through implementation of the probability equations. Extensive statistical analysis is conducted to examine the capability of the proposed method and to compare it with existing methods. It is found that the proposed method presents a good match with experimental results in all aspects including the nearest neighbor distance, nearest neighbor orientation, Ripley’s K function, and the radial distribution function. Finite element analysis is presented to predict the effective elastic properties of a carbon/epoxy composite, to validate the generated random representative volume elements, and to provide insights of the effect of fiber distribution on the elastic properties. The present algorithm is shown to be highly accurate and can be used to generate statistically equivalent RVEs for not only fiber-reinforced composites but also other materials such as foam materials and particle-reinforced composites.
Highlights
Fiber reinforced composites are known as hierarchical materials with three structural levels: micro-scale, meso-scale and macro-scale
The proposed method has demonstrated a significant advantage in capturing the realistic fiber distribution compared with existing methods
Extensive statistical analysis is conducted to elaborate the accuracy of the current method in generating the statistically equivalent representative volume elements (RVEs)
Summary
Fiber reinforced composites are known as hierarchical materials with three structural levels: micro-scale, meso-scale and macro-scale. Methods based on periodic fiber distributions cannot give accurate predictions of the effective properties of the composite, especially on the elastic-plastic behavior under transverse loading conditions, due to the inadequate modeling of the resin-rich region and the fiber-aggregate region [7]. Yang et al [19] simulated the non-uniform microstructure of a ceramic matrix ceramic matrix composite using the hard‐core model and validated the statistical equivalency of the composite using the hard-core model and validated the statistical equivalency of the reconstructed reconstructed random model against the realistic fiber distribution. Yang et al [26] proposed a random sequential expansion (RSE) algorithm based on a hard-core model, which is able to generate random sequential expansion (RSE) algorithm based on a hard‐core model, which is able to generate random distributions for various fiber volume fractions through adjusting the inter-fiber distance parameters.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
