Mechanical properties of composite materials can be improved by tailoring their microstructures. Optimal microstructures of composites, which ensure desired properties of composite materials, can be determined in computational experiments. The subject of this book is the computational analysis of interrelations between mechanical properties (e.g., strength, damage resistance stiffness) and microstructures of composites. The methods of mesomechanics of composites are reviewed, and applied to the modelling of the mechanical behaviour of different groups of composites. Individual chapters are devoted to the computational analysis of the microstructure- mechanical properties relationships of particle reinforced composites, functionally graded and particle clusters reinforced composites, interpenetrating phase and unidirectional fiber reinforced composites, and machining tools materials.

Micromechanics of Composites: Multipole Expansion Approach is the first book to introduce micromechanics researchers to a more efficient and accurate alternative to computational micromechanics, which requires heavy computational effort and the need to extract meaningful data from a multitude of numbers produced by finite element software code. In this book Dr. Kushch demonstrates the development of the multipole expansion method, including recent new results in the theory of special functions and rigorous convergence proof of the obtained series solutions. The complete analytical solutions and accurate numerical data contained in the book have been obtained in a unified manner for a number of the multiple inclusion models of finite, semi- and infinite heterogeneous solids. Contemporary topics of micromechanics covered in the book include composites with imperfect and partially debonded interface, nanocomposites, cracked solids, statistics of the local fields, and brittle strength of disordered composites. - Contains detailed analytical and numerical analyses of a variety of micromechanical multiple inclusion models, providing clear insight into the physical nature of the problems under study - Provides researchers with a reliable theoretical framework for developing the micromechanical theories of a composite's strength, brittle/fatigue damage development and other properties - Includes a large amount of highly accurate numerical data and plots for a variety of model problems, serving as a benchmark for testing the applicability of existing approximate models and accuracy of numerical solutions

Composites are a class of material, which receives much attention not only because it is on the cutting edge of active material research fields due to appearance of many new types of composites, e.g., nanocomposites and bio-medical composites, but also because there are a great deal of promises for their potential applications in various industries ranging from aerospace to construction due to their various outstanding properties. This book mainly deals with fabrication and property characterization of various composites by focusing on the following topics: functional and structural nanocomposites, numerical and theoretical modelling of various damages in long fiber reinforced composites and textile composites, design, processing and manufacturing technologies and their effects on mechanical properties of composites, characterization of mechanical and physical properties of various composites, and metal and ceramic matrix composites. This book has been divided into five sections to cover the above contents.

Engineering materials show a pronounced heterogeneity on a smaller scale that influences the macroscopic constitutive behavior. Algorithms for the periodic discretization of microstructures are presented. These are used within the Nonuniform Transformation Field Analysis (NTFA) which is an order reduction based nonlinear homogenization method with micro-mechanical background. Theoretical and numerical aspects of the method are discussed and its computational efficiency is validated.

This title brings together a variety of papers presented at the 9th annual Meso meeting in 2007. The topics selected for Meso 2007 are designed to illustrate the relation of thresholds to multiscaling: Flow through capillary tubes in contrast to pipes Laminar and turbulent flow transition Heat convection of thin wires in contrast to cylinders Electrical conductance of macro- and nano-circuits Rubbery and glassy polymers Single- and poly-crystal behavior Strength of wires and round cylindrical bars Uni-axial and multi-axial material: linear and non-linear response Thin and thick plate behavior Brittle and ductile fracture Small and large crack growth behavior Low and high temperature effects Local and global material property characteristics Small and large bodies: size and time effects Specimen and structure

Summary: A Generalized Multiscale Analysis Approach brings together comprehensive background information on the multiscale nature of the composite, constituent material behaviour, damage models and key techniques for multiscale modelling, as well as presenting the findings and methods, developed over a lifetime's research, of three leading experts in the field. The unified approach presented in the book for conducting multiscale analysis and design of conventional and smart composite materials is also applicable for structures with complete linear and nonlinear material behavior, with numerous applications provided to illustrate use. Modeling composite behaviour is a key challenge in research and industry; when done efficiently and reliably it can save money, decrease time to market with new innovations and prevent component failure.

Structural Integrity and Durability of Advanced Composites: Innovative Modelling Methods and Intelligent Design presents scientific and technological research from leading composite materials scientists and engineers that showcase the fundamental issues and practical problems that affect the development and exploitation of large composite structures. As predicting precisely where cracks may develop in materials under stress is an age old mystery in the design and building of large-scale engineering structures, the burden of testing to provide "fracture safe design" is imperative. Readers will learn to transfer key ideas from research and development to both the design engineer and end-user of composite materials. This comprehensive text provides the information users need to understand deformation and fracture phenomena resulting from impact, fatigue, creep, and stress corrosion cracking and how these phenomena can affect reliability, life expectancy, and the durability of structures. - Presents scientific and technological research from leading composite materials scientists and engineers that showcase fundamental issues and practical problems - Provides the information users need to understand deformation and fracture phenomena resulting from impact, fatigue, creep, and stress corrosion cracking - Enables readers to transfer key ideas from research and development to both the design engineer and end-user of composite materials