Multiscale modeling of thermomechanical behaviour of three-phase nanocomposite

TL;DR

This paper presents an advanced shear lag model for three-phase nanocomposites, incorporating thermomechanical effects and RVE staggering, validated by finite element simulations, revealing critical insights into load transfer mechanisms under complex loads.

Contribution

The study introduces an improved shear lag model that accounts for thermomechanical loads and RVE staggering, enhancing understanding of load transfer in nanocomposites.

Findings

Thermomechanical loads significantly influence axial and interfacial stresses.

Shear tractions along RVE length are crucial for load transfer.

Model validation shows good agreement with finite element results.

Abstract

In this work, we developed an improved shear lag model to investigate the load transfer characteristics of three-phase nanocomposite which is reinforced with microscale fibers augmented with carbon nanotubes on their circumferential surfaces. The shear lag model accounts for (i) radial and axial deformations of different transversely isotropic constituents, (ii) thermomechanical loads on the representative volume element (RVE), and (iii) staggering effect of adjacent RVEs. The results from the current newly developed shear lag model are validated with the finite element simulations and found to be in good agreement. Our study reveals that the reduction in the maximum value of the axial stress in the fiber and the interfacial shear stress along its length become more pronounced in the presence of applied thermomechanical loads on the staggered RVEs. The existence of shear tractions along the RVE length plays a significant role in the load transfer characteristics and cannot be ignored.