Modelling of mechanical behaviour of damageable particulate composites

Abstract

A simple discrete structural model has been developed [V.V. Moshev, L.A. Golotina, Non-linear mechanical models for particulate elastometric composites III. Macrocrack initiation from randomly scattered microdamages, Ukrainian Polymer Journal 4(1-2) (1995) 70–84.] for particular composites; it is capable of describing the entire life-cycle of the material from its virgin state through microdamage accumulation to macrofailure. The model geometry corresponds to chain-like cross-sections tied in series where each cross-section represents two clamps interconnected in parallel by a number of elastic links. In extension, some links become ruptured in a random manner reflecting microdamage accumulation which tends to enhance longitudinal stiffness nonuniformity. A stage is reached, when the specimen looses its longitudinal elastic stability. Sudden rupture occurs at the most vulnerable location. The first version of the model was developed for a set of material parameters that were chosen arbitrarily. The phenomena of damage accumulation and macrocrack formation were well represented qualitatively. Examination of random structures of particulate composites and application of a physical discretization approach [V.V. Moshev, O.C. Garishin, Physical discretization approach to evaluation of elastic moduli of highly filled granular composites, Int. J. Solids and Structures 30 (17) (1993) 2347–2355.], however, have suggested the possibility to a further refinement of the model with more realistic structural features. The objective of this work is to provide such a refinement.