Internal instability as a possible failure mechanism for layered composites.

This paper revisits a three-dimensional analytical approach to study internal instability in layered composites, when the behaviour of each component of the material is described by the three-dimensional equations of solid mechanics. It shows the development of a unified computational procedure for numerical realization of the three-dimensional analytical method as applied to various constitutive equations of the layers and fibres, and different loading schemes (uniaxial or biaxial loading). The paper also contains many examples of calculation of critical controlled parameters for particular composites as well as analysis of different buckling modes. The results of this method can be used as a benchmark for simplified models. This article is part of the themed issue 'Multiscale modelling of the structural integrity of composite materials'.

The effect of the interaction of cracks in orthotropic layered materials under compressive loading.

The non-classical problem of fracture mechanics of composites compressed along the layers with interfacial cracks is analysed. The statement of the problem is based on the model of piecewise homogeneous medium, the most accurate within the framework of the mechanics of deformable bodies as applied to composites. The condition of plane strain state is examined. The layers are modelled by a transversally isotropic material (a matrix reinforced by continuous parallel fibres). The frictionless Hertzian contact of the crack faces is considered. The complex fracture mechanics problem is solved using the finite-element analysis. The shear mode of stability loss is studied. The results are obtained for the typical dispositions of cracks. It was found that the interacting crack faces, the crack length and the mutual position of cracks influence the critical strain in the composite.

Boundary integral equations in elastodynamics of interface cracks.

The paper concerns the validation of a method for solving elastodynamics problems for cracked solids. The proposed method is based on the application of boundary integral equations. The problem of an interface penny-shaped crack between two dissimilar elastic half-spaces under harmonic loading is considered as an example.

Predicting the properties of micro- and nanocomposites: from the microwhiskers to the bristled nano-centipedes.

The paper draws on the similarities between the well-known process of whiskerization of microfibres and the recent idea of bristled nanowires. The new method for evaluation of the effective elastic properties of such materials is suggested based on the model of four-component composition. This model assumes the transverse isotropy of continuum and predicts five elastic moduli and density as independent effective constants. An example of calculation of the constants for the particular materials is given. It shows the significant increase in the shear strength of composites with whiskerized or bristled fibres.