This work is focused on the prediction of elastic behavior of short-fiber reinforced composites by mean-field homogenization methods, which account for experimentally determined and artificially constructed microstructure data in discrete and averaged form. The predictions are compared with experimental measurements and a full-field voxel-based approach. It is investigated, whether the second-order orientation tensor delivers a sufficient microstructure description for such predictions.

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.

Multi-scale modelling of composites is a very relevant topic in composites science. This is illustrated by the numerous sessions in the recent European and International Conferences on Composite Materials, but also by the fast developments in multi-scale modelling software tools, developed by large industrial players such as Siemens (Virtual Material Characterization toolkit and MultiMechanics virtual testing software), MSC/e-Xstream (Digimat software), Simulia (micromechanics plug-in in Abaqus), HyperSizer (Multi-scale design of composites), Altair (Altair Multiscale Designer) This book is intended to be an ideal reference on the latest advances in multi-scale modelling of fibre-reinforced polymer composites, that is accessible for both (young) researchers and end users of modelling software. We target three main groups: This book aims at a complete introduction and overview of the state-of-the-art in multi-scale modelling of composites in three axes: • ranging from prediction of homogenized elastic properties to nonlinear material behaviour • ranging from geometrical models for random packing of unidirectional fibres over meso-scale geometries for textile composites to orientation tensors for short fibre composites • ranging from damage modelling of unidirectionally reinforced composites over textile composites to short fibre-reinforced composites The book covers the three most important scales in multi-scale modelling of composites: (i) micro-scale, (ii) meso-scale and (iii) macro-scale. The nano-scale and related atomistic and molecular modelling approaches are deliberately excluded, since the book wants to focus on continuum mechanics and there are already a lot of dedicated books about polymer nanocomposites. A strong focus is put on physics-based damage modelling, in the sense that the chapters devote attention to modelling the different damage mechanisms (matrix cracking, fibre/matrix debonding, delamination, fibre fracture,...) in such a way that the underlying physics of the initiation and growth of these damage modes is respected. The book also gives room to not only discuss the finite element based approaches for multi-scale modelling, but also much faster methods that are popular in industrial software, such as Mean Field Homogenization methods (based on Mori-Tanaka and Eshelby solutions) and variational methods (shear lag theory and more advanced theories). Since the book targets a wide audience, the focus is put on the most common numerical approaches that are used in multi-scale modelling. Very specialized numerical methods like peridynamics modelling, Material Point Method, eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM), isogeometric analysis, SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics),... are excluded. Outline of the book The book is divided in three large parts, well balanced with each a similar number of chapters:

When fibres in a composite are discontinuous and are shorter than a few millimetres, the composite is called a 'short fibre reinforced composite (SFRP)'. SFRPs have found extensive applications in automobiles, business machines, durable consumer items, sporting goods and electrical industries owing to their low cost, easy processing and superior mechanical properties over the parent polymers. The book summarises recent developments in this area, focusing on the fundamental mechanisms that govern the mechanical properties including strength, modulus, fracture toughness and thermal properties of SFRP materials.This book covers the following topics: extrusion compounding and injection moulding, major factors affecting mechanical performance, stress transfer, strength, elastic modulus flexural modulus, thermal conductivity and expansion, non-linear stress-strain behaviour and fracture mechanics of short fibre reinforced polymers.With its distinguished team of authors, Science and engineering of short fibre reinforced polymer composites is a standard reference for anyone involved in the development, manufacture and use of SFRPs. It will also provide an in-depth understanding of the behaviour of these versatile materials. - Reviews the mechanical properties and functions of short fibre reinforced polymer composites (SFRP) - Examines recent developments in the fundamental mechanisms of SFRP's - Assesses major factors affecting mechanical performance such as stress transfer and strength

Wir präsentieren einen Algorithmus zur schnellen Erzeugung von SMC Mikrostrukturen hoher Güte, durch Verwendung einer exakten Schließung und eines quasi-zufälligen Samplings. Darüber hinaus stellen wir ein modulares Framework zur Modellierung anisotroper Schädigung vor. Unser Konzept der Extraktionstensoren und Schädigungsfunktionen ermöglicht die Beschreibung komplexer Vorgänge. Darüber hinaus schlagen wir einen ganzheitlichen Multiskalenansatz zur Bestimmung anisotroper Versagenskriterien vor. - We introduce an algorithm that allows for a fast generation of SMC composite microstructures. An exact closure approximation and a quasi-random orientation sampling ensure high fidelity. Furthermore, we present a modular framework for anisotropic damage evolution. Our concept of extraction tensors and damage-hardening functions enables the description of complex damage-degradation. In addition, we propose a holistic multiscale approach for constructing anisotropic failure criteria.

The work deals with the thermomechanical mechanical behavior of microstructured materials, which has attracted considerable interest from both the academic and the industrial research communities. The past decade has witnessed major progress in the development of analytical as well as numerical modeling approaches and of experimental methods in this field. Considerable research efforts have been aimed at obtaining microstructure-property correlations and at studying the damage and failure behavior of microstructured materials. The book combines an overview of important analytical and numerical modeling approaches in continuum micromechanics and is aimed at academic and industrial researchers, such as materials scientists, mechanical engineers, and applied physicists, who are working or planning to work in the field of mechanics of microstructured materials such as composites, metals and ceramics.