An Improved Peridynamic Model with Energy-Based Micromodulus Correction Method for Fracture in Particle Reinforced Composites

Abstract

We introduce an improved bond-based peridynamic (BPD) model for simulating brittle fracture in particle reinforced composites based on a micromodulus correction approach. In the peridynamic (PD) constitutive model of particle reinforced composites, three kinds of interactive bond forces are considered, and precise definition of mechanical properties for PD bonds is essential for the fracture analysis in particle reinforced composites. A new micromodulus model of PD bonds for particle reinforced composites is proposed based on the equivalence between the elastic strain energy density of classical continuum mechanics and peridynamic model and the harmonic average approach. The damage of particle reinforced composites is defined locally at the level of pairwise bond, and the critical stretch criterion is described as a function of fracture energy based on the composite failure theory. The algorithm procedure for the improved BPD model based on the finite element/discontinuous Galerkin finite element method is brought forward in detail. Several numerical examples are performed to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm in analysis of elastic deformation, crack nucleation and propagation in particle reinforced composites. Additionally, the impact of distribution, shape and size of particles on the fractures of composite materials are also investigated. Numerical results demonstrate that the improved BPD model can effectively be used to analyze the fracture in particle reinforced composites.