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This paper aims to present thermal and mechanical stresses in solid and hollow thick-walled cylinders and spheres made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) under the effect of heat generation.

Constant internal temperature and convective external conditions in hollow bodies along with internal heat generation with a combination of outer convective conditions in solid bodies are investigated individually. The effect of the heat convection coefficient on solid bodies is additionally discussed. The variation of the FGM properties in the radial direction is adapted to the Mori–Tanaka homogenization schemes, which produces irregular and two-point linear boundary value problems that are numerically solved by the pseudospectral Chebyshev method.

It has been shown that the selection of the mixtures of FGMs has to be made correctly to keep the thermal and mechanical loads acting on objects at low levels.

In this study, both solid and hollow functionally graded cylinders and spheres for different boundary conditions that are as their engineering applications are examined with the proposed method. The results have demonstrated that the pseudospectral Chebyshev method has high accuracy, low calculation costs and ease of application and can be easily adapted to such engineering problems.

The purpose of this study is to develop a homogenization approach that ensures both high accuracy and time-efficient solution for elastic-plastic functionally graded composites.

The paper presents a novel two-stage hybrid homogenization approach that combines advantages of the mean field homogenization and homogenization based on the finite element method (FEM). The groundbreaking nature of the developed approach is associated with division of the hybrid homogenization procedure into two stages, which allows to very efficiently determine the solution for arbitrary volume fraction of the reinforcement. This paper concerns also on modelling of composites with randomly distributed prolate and oblate particles. For this purpose, the hybrid homogenization was implemented in the framework of the discrete orientation averaging procedure involving pseudo-grain discretization method.

Agreement between the results obtained using the proposed approach and the standard FEM-based homogenization is very good (up to the volume fraction of 0.3).

The proposed two-stage homogenization approach allows to obtain the solution for materials with arbitrary volume fraction of the reinforcement very efficiently; therefore, it is highly beneficial for the two-scale modeling of nonlinear functionally graded materials and structures.

In this paper, a homogenization‐based multi‐scale method for predicting the effective thermal conductivity of porous materials with radiation is presented, which considers the effect of geometry and distribution of pores. Using homogenization method to solve the pure conductive problem of porous materials with periodic structure, the effective thermal conductivity without considering radiation is predicted, and a temperature field in a local domain of a unit cell is obtained. This temperature field is taken as the good approximation of the real temperature distribution, and the radiative thermal conductivity is obtained. The effect of the microstructure, the distribution and geometry of pores on heat transfer of porous materials is discussed. It is concluded that the dimension of the pores is an important influence factor on the thermal transfer property of porous materials if radiation is considered. Increasing the pore’s dimension enhances the contribution of radiation to the heat transfer property of porous materials. For porous materials with cylindrical and spherical pores, the radiative thermal conductivity is proportional to pore’s diameter.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stress distribution in shape memory alloy (SMA) composite due to phase transformations in the fiber in view of the applied boundary conditions on the matrix.

A consistent homogenization of a SMA wire‐reinforced polymer composite volume element undergoing quasi‐static deformation was performed and SMA wire‐matrix interface behaviour was presented. For the SMA wire, a one‐dimensional phenomenological constitutive model was used. Eshelby's inclusion theory was employed for homogenization. A strain averaging approach was reviewed in which the average strain was substituted back to obtain the expressions for the effective stiffness, the inelastic strain, and the average stresses in the constituent phases. In order to study the stress distribution in SMA composite and constituent phases (fiber and matrix) as a consequence of the SMA wire‐matrix interface effect, interfacial stress model was derived. Interfacial axial and shear stress distribution is characterized for forward and reverse phase transformations. Finally, the thermomechanical behaviours were computed by applying strain energy approach incorporating the interface effects.

The results presented show that due to the difference between the shear modulus of matrix and SMA wire, and because of the strain non‐uniformity at the SMA wire‐matrix interface, shear stress is developed within the matrix under the axial loading of the representative volume element (RVE). The shear stress increases more rapidly as the SMA wire radius is increased but not with increase in the length. However, the axial stress does not increase much with increase in the SMA wire radius and length. Further, the average stress equation of the RVE at the SMA wire‐matrix interface is effectively addressed. The modeling approach is successfully validated extensively for different geometric and volumetric parameters for different loading conditions. It is evident that the interface effect of SMA wire composites is SMA stiffness dominated due to the fact that the geometric parameters do not influence much the stresses as compared to the change in SMA wire stiffness.

The approach is based on modeling the fiber matrix interface effect using homogenization scheme. Further, the strain energy approach is applied to compute the stress‐strain response. This indicates the importance of modeling the SMA wire‐matrix interface effect, and in particular, the energy exchange between the constituent phases. The results have been compared for different geometric parameters as well as volume fractions of the constituent phases under different loading conditions.

The purpose is to analyze the mechanical behavior of the arterial wall in the degraded region of the arterial wall and to determine the stress distribution, as an important factor for predicting the potential failure mechanisms in the wall. In fact, while the collagen fiber degradation process itself is not modeled, zones with reduced collagen fiber content (corresponding to the degradation process) are assumed. To do so, a local weakness in the media layer is considered by defining representative volume elements (RVEs) with different fiber collagen contents in the degraded area to investigate the mechanical response of the arterial wall.

A three-dimensional (3D) large strain hierarchical multiscale technique, based on the homogenization and genetic algorithm (GA), is utilized to numerically model collagen fiber degradation in a typical artery. Determination of material constants for the ground matrix and collagen fibers in the microscale level is performed by the GA. In order to investigate the mechanical degradation, two types of RVEs with different collagen contents in fibers are considered. Each RVE is divided into two parts of noncollagenous matrix and collagen fiber, and the part of collagen fiber is further divided into matrix and collagen fibrils.

The von Mises stress distributions on the inner and outer surfaces of the artery and the influence of collagen fiber degradation on thinning of the arterial wall in the degraded area are thoroughly studied. Comparing the maximum stress values on outer and inner surfaces in the degraded region shows that the inner surface is under higher stress states, which makes it more prone to failure. Furthermore, due to the weakness of the artery in the degraded area, it is concluded that the collagen fiber degradation considerably reduces the wall thickness in the degraded area, leading to an observable local inflation across the degraded artery.

Considering that little attention has been paid to multiscale numerical modeling of collagen fiber degradation, in this paper a 3D large strain hierarchical multiscale technique based on homogenization and GA methods is presented. Therefore, while the collagen fiber degradation process itself is not modeled in this study, zones with reduced collagen fiber content (corresponding to the degradation process) are assumed.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of the fast multipole boundary element method (FMBEM) in the analysis of stress and effective properties of 3D linear elastic structures with cavities. In particular, a comparison between the FMBEM and the finite element method (FEM) is performed in terms of accuracy, model size and computation time.

The developed FMBEM uses eight-node Serendipity boundary elements with numerical integration based on the adaptive subdivision of elements. Multipole and local expansions and translations involve solid harmonics. The proposed model is used to analyse a solid body with two interacting spherical cavities, and to predict the homogenized response of a porous material under linear displacement boundary condition. The FEM results are generated in commercial codes Ansys and MSC Patran/Nastran, and the results are compared in terms of accuracy, model size and execution time. Analytical solutions available in the literature are also considered.

FMBEM and FEM approximate the geometry with similar accuracy and provide similar results. However, FMBEM requires a model size that is smaller by an order of magnitude in terms of the number of degrees of freedom. The problems under consideration can be solved by using FMBEM within the time comparable to the FEM with an iterative solver.

The present results are limited to linear elasticity.

This work is a step towards a comprehensive efficiency evaluation of the FMBEM applied to selected problems of micromechanics, by comparison with the commercial FEM codes.

The purpose of this study is the comprehensive numerical assessment of multidirectional (1D/2D/3D) functionally graded composite panel structures with different material gradation patterns and degrees of material heterogeneity. Here, deformation characteristics are obtained under different loading and support conditions.

The finite element solutions of multidirectional functionally graded composite panels subjected to uniform and sinusoidal transverse loads are presented under different support conditions. Here, different functionally graded composites, such as unidirectional (1D) and multidirectional (2D/3D), are considered by distributing constituent materials in one, two and three directions, respectively, using single and multivariable power-law functions. A constitutive model with fully spatial-dependent elastic stiffness is developed, whereas the kinematics of the present structure is defined using equivalent single-layer higher-order theory. The weak form, based on the principle of virtual work, is established and solved consequently using isoparametric finite element approximations via quadrilateral Lagrangian elements.

The appropriate mesh-refinement process is carried out to achieve the mesh convergence; whereas, the correctness of proposed heterogeneous model is confirmed through a verification test. The comprehensive numerical assessment of multidirectional functionally graded panels under various loading and support conditions depicts the importance of degree of material heterogeneity with different gradation patterns and volume-fraction exponents.

A comprehensive analysis on the deformation behaviour of 1D-functionally graded materials (FGMs) (X-FGM, Y-FGM and Z-FGM), 2D-FGMs (XY-FGM, YZ-FGM and XZ-FGM) and 3D-FGM composite panels FGM structures is presented. Multifaceted heterogeneous FGMs are modelled by varying constituent materials in one, two and three directions, using power-law functions. The constitutive model of multi-directional FGM is developed using fully spatial-dependent elastic matrix and higher-order kinematics. Isoparametric 2D finite element formulation is adopted using quadrilateral Lagrangian elements to model 1D/2D/3D-FGM structures and to obtain their deflection responses under different loading and support conditions.

Computer aided design systems are routinely used by designers for creating part geometries. Interfaces to computer aided analysis and manufacturing are also commonplace enabling the rapid fabrication of the designed part. Thus far, however, the focus was on objects with homogeneous interior. Two recent advances use of functionally graded materials in parts, and layered manufacturing technology have brought to the forefront the need for CAD systems to support the creation of geometry as well as the graded material inside. This paper reports on such a system. We describe the need, the components and implementation of a CAD system for creating heterogeneous objects. Two examples illustrate the use.

Pores and shrink holes are unavoidable defects in the die-casting mass production process which may significantly influence the strength, fatigue and fracture behaviour as well as the life span of structures, especially if they are subjected to high static and dynamic loads. Such defects should be considered during the design process or after production, where the defects could be detected with the help of computed tomography (CT) measurements. However, this is usually not done in today's mass production environments. This paper deals with the stress analysis of die-cast structural parts with pores found from CT measurements or that are artificially placed within a structure.

In this paper the authors illustrate two general methodologies to take into account the porosity of die-cast components in the stress analysis. The detailed geometry of a die-cast part including all discontinuities such as pores and shrink holes can be included via STL data provided by CT measurements. The first approach is a combination of the finite element method (FEM) and the finite cell method (FCM), which extends the FEM if the real geometry cuts finite elements. The FCM is only applied in regions with pores. This procedure has the advantage that all simulations with different pore distributions, real or artificial, can be calculated without changing the base finite element mesh. The second approach includes the pore information as STL data into the original CAD model and creates a new adapted finite element mesh for the simulation. Both methods are compared and evaluated for an industrial problem.

The STL data of defects which the authors received from CT measurements could not be directly applied without repairing them. Therefore, for FEM applications an appropriate repair procedure is proposed. The first approach, which combines the FEM with the FCM, the authors have realized within the commercial software tool Abaqus. This combination performs well, which is demonstrated for test examples, and is also applied for a complex industrial project. The developed in-house code still has some limitations which restrict broader application in industry. The second pure FEM-based approach works well without limitations but requires increasing computational effort if many different pore distributions are to be investigated.

A new simulation approach which combines the FEM with the FCM has been developed and implemented into the commercial Abaqus FEM software. This approach the authors have applied to simulate a real engineering die-cast structure with pores. This approach could become a preferred way to consider pores in practical applications, where the porosity can be derived either from CT measurements or are artificially adopted for design purposes. The authors have also shown how pores can be considered in the standard FEM analysis as well.

The purpose of this paper is to develop a general mathematical model for the evaluation of the theoretical flexural responses of the functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite doubly curved shell panel using higher-order shear deformation theory with thermal load. It is well-known that functionally graded materials are a multidimensional problem, and the present numerical model is also capable of solving the flexural behaviour of different shell panel made up of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite with adequate accuracy in the absence of experimentation.

In this current paper, the responses of the single-walled carbon nanotube-reinforced composite panel is computed numerically using the proposed generalised higher-order mathematical model through a homemade computer code developed in MATLAB. The desired flexural responses are computed numerically using the variational method.

The validity and the convergence behaviour of the present higher-order model indicate the necessity for the analysis of multidimensional structure under the combined loading condition. The effect of various design parameters on the flexural behaviour of functionally graded carbon nanotube doubly curved shell panel are examined to highlight the applicability of the presently proposed higher-order model under thermal environment.

In this paper, for the first time, the static behaviour of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite doubly curved shell panel is analysed using higher-order shear deformation theory. The properties of carbon nanotube and the matrix material are considered to be temperature dependent. The present model is so general that it is capable of solving various geometries from single curve to doubly curved panel, including the flat panel.