• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.8 no.1 s.27
• /
• pp.139-152
• /
• 2006

Many experimental and numerical approaches have been developed to evaluate paving materials and to predict pavement response and distress. Micromechanical simulation modeling is a technology that can reduce the number of physical tests required in material formulation and design and that can provide more details, e.g., the internal stress and strain state, and energy evolution and dissipation in simulated specimens with realistic microstructural features. A clustered distinct element modeling (DEM) approach was implemented In the two-dimensional particle flow software package (PFC-2D) to study the complex behavior observed in asphalt mixture fracturing. The relationship between continuous and discontinuous material properties was defined based on the potential energy approach. The theoretical relationship was validated with the uniform axial compression and cantilever beam model using two-dimensional plane strain and plane stress models. A bilinear cohesive displacement-softening model was implemented as an intrinsic interface and applied for both homogeneous and heterogeneous fracture modeling in order to simulate behavior in the fracture process zone and to simulate crack propagation. A disk-shaped compact tension test (DC(T)) with heterogeneous microstructure was simulated and compared with the experimental fracture test results to study Mode I fracture. The realistic arbitrary crack propagation including crack deflection, microcracking, crack face sliding, crack branching, and crack tip blunting could be represented in the fracture models. This micromechanical modeling approach represents the early developmental stages towards a 'virtual asphalt laboratory,' where simulations of laboratory tests and eventually field response and distress predictions can be made to enhance our understanding of pavement distress mechanisms, such its thermal fracture, reflective cracking, and fatigue crack growth.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2018

A differential scheme based micromechanical framework is proposed to obtain the effective properties of the saturated concrete repaired by the electrochemical deposition method (EDM) considering the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) effects. The constituents of the repaired concrete are treated as different phases, consisting of (micro-)cracks, (micro-)voids and (micro-)pores (occupied by water), deposition products, intrinsic concrete made up by the three traditional solid phases (i.e., mortar, coarse aggregates and their interfaces) and the ITZs. By incorporating the composite sphere assemblage (CSA) model and the differential approach, a new multilevel homogenization scheme is utilized to quantitatively estimate the mechanical performance of the repaired concrete with the ITZs. The CSA model is modified to obtain the effective properties of the equivalent particle, which is a three-phase composite made up of the water, deposition products and the ITZs. The differential scheme is employed to reach the equivalent composite of the concrete repaired by EDM considering the ITZ effects. Moreover, modification procedures considering the ITZ effects are presented to attain the properties of the repaired concrete in the dry state. Results in this study are compared with those of the existing models and the experimental data. It is found that the predictions herein agree better with the experimental data than the previous models.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.579-585
• /
• 2009

In this paper, a series of finite element analyzes were carried out to evaluate the performance of the RC beams strengthened with sprayed fiber reinforced polymer(SFRP) coating. A damage constitutive model based on the micromechanical constitutive model(Lee, 2001) in conjunction with the damage models(Lee 등, 2000) for SFRP coating was implemented into the finite element code ABAQUS. The present prediction results were compared with experimental data(Ha, 2007; Ha 등, 2009) to assess the accuracy of the damage constitutive model. It was concluded from the comparative study that the computational model developed by implementing the damage constitutive model into ABAQUS is suitable for the prediction of the performance of RC beams strengthened with SFRP coating.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.443-450
• /
• 2023

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received increased interest in reinforcing research for polymer matrix composites due to their exceptional mechanical characteristics. Its high surface area/volume ratio and aspect ratio enable polymer-based composites to make the most of its features. This study focuses on the experimental tensile testing and fabrication of carbon nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) beams, exploring various micromechanical models. By examining the performance of these models alongside experimental results, the research aims to better understand and optimize the mechanical properties of CNTRC materials. Tensile properties of neat epoxy and 0.3%; 0.4% and 0.5% by CNT reinforced laminated single layer (0°/90°) carbon fiber composite beams were investigated. The composite plates were produced in accordance with ASTM D7264 standard. The tensile test was performed in order to see the mechanical properties of the composite beams. The results showed that the optimum amount of CNT was 0.3% based on the tensile capacity. The capacity was significantly reduced when 0.4% CNT was utilized. Moreover, the experimental results are compared with Finite Element Models using ABAQUS. Hashin Failure Criteria was utilized to predict the tensile capacity. Good conformance was observed between experimental and numerical models. More importantly is that Young' Moduli of the specimens is compared with the prediction Halpin-Tsai and Mixture-Rule. Although Halpin-Tsai can accurately predict the Young's Moduli of the specimens, the accuracy of Mixture-Rule was significantly low.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.171-188
• /
• 2021

Plastic deformation of link beams in eccentrically braced frames is the primary dissipating source of seismic energy. Despite the excellent compatibility with the architectural designs, previous researches indicate the deficiency of flexural yielding links compared to the shear yielding ones because of their localized plastic deformation. Previous investigations have shown that implementing web openings in beams could be an efficient method to improve the seismic performance of moment-resisting connections. Accordingly, this research investigates the use of flexural links with stiffened and un-stiffened web openings to eliminate localized plasticity at the ends of the link. For this purpose, the numerical models are generated in finite element software "Abaqus" and verified against experimental data gathered from other studies. Models are subjected to cyclic displacement history to evaluate their behavior. Failure of the numerical models under cyclic loading is simulated using a micromechanical based damage model known as Cyclic Void Growth Model (CVGM). The elastic stiffness and the strength-based and CVGM-based inelastic rotation capacity of the links are compared to evaluate the studied models' seismic response. The results of this investigation indicate that some of the flexural links with edge stiffened web openings show increased inelastic rotation capacity compared to an un-perforated link.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.183-198
• /
• 2022

Plastic deformation of link beams in eccentrically braced frames is the primary dissipating source of seismic energy. Despite the excellent compatibility with the architectural designs, previous researches indicate the deficiency of flexural yielding links compared to the shear yielding ones because of their localized plastic deformation. Previous investigations have shown that implementing web openings in beams could be an efficient method to improve the seismic performance of moment-resisting connections. Accordingly, this research investigates the use of flexural links with stiffened and un-stiffened web openings to eliminate localized plasticity at the ends of the link. For this purpose, the numerical models are generated in finite element software "Abaqus" and verified against experimental data gathered from other studies. Models are subjected to cyclic displacement history to evaluate their behavior. Failure of the numerical models under cyclic loading is simulated using a micromechanical based damage model known as Cyclic Void Growth Model (CVGM). The elastic stiffness and the strength-based and CVGM-based inelastic rotation capacity of the links are compared to evaluate the studied models' seismic response. The results of this investigation indicate that some of the flexural links with edge stiffened web openings show increased inelastic rotation capacity compared to an un-perforated link.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.913-930
• /
• 2016

It is common practice to use Reduced Web Beam Sections (RWBS) in steel moment resisting frames. Perforation of beam web in these members may cause stress and strain concentration around the opening area and facilitate ductile fracture under cyclic loading. This paper presents a numerical study on the cyclic fracture of these structural components. The considered connections are configured as T-shaped assemblies with beams of elongated circular perforations. The failure of specimens under Ultra Low Cycle Fatigue (ULCF) condition is simulated using Cyclic Void Growth Model (CVGM) which is a micromechanics based fracture model. In each model, CVGM fracture index is calculated based on the stress and strain time histories and then models with different opening configurations are compared based on the calculated fracture index. In addition to the global models, sub-models with refined mesh are used to evaluate fracture index around the beam to column weldment. Modeling techniques are validated using data from previous experiments. Results show that as the perforation size increases, opening corners experience greater fracture index. This is while as the opening size increases the maximum observed fracture index at the connection welds decreases. However, the initiation of fracture at connection welds occurs at lower drift angles compared to opening corners. Finally, a probabilistic framework is applied to CVGM in order to account for the uncertainties existing in the prediction of ductile fracture and results are discussed.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.30 no.4 s.247
• /
• pp.393-401
• /
• 2006

The influences of stress triaxiality on ductile fracture have been investigated for various specimens and structures. With respect to a transferability issue, recently, the interests on local approaches reflecting micromechanical specifics are increased again due to rapid progress of computational environments. In this paper, the applicability of the local approaches has been examined through a series of finite element analyses incorporating modified GTN and Rousselier models as well as fracture toughness tests. The ductile crack growth of nuclear carbon steels is assessed to verify the transferability among compact tension (CT) specimens with different in-plane size. At first, the basic material constants were calibrated for standard CT specimens and used to predict fracture resistance (J-R) curves of larger CT specimens. Then, the in-plane size effects were examined by comparing the numerically estimated J-R curves with the experimentally determined ones. The assessment results showed that the in-plane size effect should be considered for realistic engineering application and the damage models might be used as useful tool for ductile fracture evaluation.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2012

In order to predict the thermoelastic behavior of porous composites, poroelastic parameters are measured by using micromechanics-based finite element models. The expanding deformation caused by pore pressure, and the degradation of homogenized elastic moduli with pores are calculated for the assessment of the poroelastic parameters. Various representative volume elements considering the shape, size, and array pattern of pores are modeled and analyzed by a finite element method. The effects of porosity and material anisotropy, and the distribution of stain energy density are investigated carefully. In addition, the measured poroelastic parameters are verified by predicting the thermo-pore-elastic behavior of carbon/phenolic composites.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.535-547
• /
• 2022

Failure patterns of rock specimens represent valuable information about the mechanical properties and crack evolution mechanism of rock. Several kinds of research have been conducted regarding the failure mechanism of brittle material, however; the influence of brittleness on the failure mechanism of rock specimens has not been precisely considered. In the present study, experimental and numerical examinations have been made to evaluate the physical and mechanical phenomena associated with rock failure mechanisms through the uniaxial compression test. In the experimental part, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests equipped with Acoustic Emission (AE) have been conducted on rock samples with three different brittleness. Then, the numerical models have been calibrated based on experimental test results for further investigation and comparing the micro-cracking process in experimental and numerical models. It can be perceived that the failure mode of specimens with high brittleness is tensile axial splitting, based on the experimental evidence of rock specimens with different brittleness. Also, the crack growth mechanism of the rock specimens with various brittleness using discrete element modeling in the numerical part suggested that the specimens with more brittleness contain more tensile fracture during the loading sequences.