Shape and packing effects in particulate composites: micromechanical modelling and numerical verification

• Published in: Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering Vol. 22; no. 2; p. 86
• Main Authors: Majewski, M., Wichrowski, M., Hołobut, P., Kowalczyk-Gajewska, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 05.03.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Civil Engineering; Composite materials; Engineering; Finite element analysis; Finite element method; Fourier transforms; Heat conductivity; Holes; Homogenization; Inhomogeneity; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Mechanical Engineering; Morphology; Oblate spheroids; Original Article; Particulate composites; Pattern analysis; Prolate spheroids; Shape effects; Structural Materials; Tensors; Micromechanics; Shape effect; Packing effect; Composite material; Computational modelling
• ISSN: 2083-3318; 1644-9665; 2083-3318
• DOI: 10.1007/s43452-022-00405-9

The aim of this study is to analyse the joint effect of reinforcement shape and packing on the effective behaviour of particulate composites. The proposed semi-analytical modelling method combines the Replacement Mori–Tanaka scheme, by means of which the concentration tensors for non-ellipsoidal inhomogeneities are found numerically, and the analytical morphologically representative pattern approach to account for particle packing. Five shapes of inhomogeneities are selected for the analysis: a sphere, a prolate ellipsoid, a sphere with cavities, an oblate spheroid with a cavity as well as an inhomogeneity created by three prolate spheroids crossing at right angles. Semi-analytical estimates are compared with the results of numerical simulations performed using the finite element method and with the outcomes of classical mean-field models based on the Eshelby solution, e.g. the Mori–Tanaka model or the self-consistent scheme.