Papers by Author: Ju Ying Yang

Abstract: A coupled thermo-mechanical model is employed to analyze the thermo-mechanical behavior of a widely used laminated composite subject to temperature decrease at service conditions. Three sets of governing equations, i.e. heat transfer, thermo-mechanical deformation and damage evolution are respectively described in the model. These equations are then assembled into a coupled matrix equation using finite element formulation and then solved simultaneously at each time interval. A numerical model of two layered composites with some preexisting equal-spacing cracks along the interface in the lower layer is set up to investigate the thermal induced crack propagation due to temperature decrease. Results are presented in the form of crack propagation process in stress profiles and discussed. Numerical simulations show that the crack propagation behavior of the composites is closely dependent on the physico-mechanical properties of two layers and preexisting cracks. It is found that thermal induced cracks penetrate into the upper layer and grow in the upper layer due to the low strength of the upper layer when the model is subject to uniform temperature decrease.

Abstract: Fracture formation on surfaces of bi-layered materials is studied numerically. A simplified two-layered materials model like growing tree trunk is present. This work is focused on patterns of fractures and fracture saturation. We consider the formation of crack pattern in bark as an example of pattern formation due to expansion of one material layer with respect to another. As a result of this expansion, the bark stretches until it reaches its limit of deformation and cracks. A novel numerical code, 3D Realistic Failure Process Analysis code (abbreviated as RFPA3D) is used to obtain numerical solutions. In this numerical code, the heterogeneity of materials is taken into account by assigning different properties to the individual elements according to statistical distribution function. Elastic-brittle constitutive relation with residual strength for elements and a Mohr-Coulomb criterion with a tensile cut-off are adopted so that the elements may fail either in shear or in tension. The discontinuity feature of the initiated crack is automatically induced by using degraded stiffness approach when the tensile strain of the failed elements reaching a certain value. The different patterns are obtained by varying simulation parameters, the thickness of the material layer. Numerical simulation clearly demonstrates that the stress state transition precludes further infilling of fractures and the fracture spacing reaches constant state,i.e. the socalled fracture saturation. It also indicates that RFPA code is a viable tool for modeling fracture formation and studying fracture patterns.

Abstract: In this paper, a numerical code, Realistic Failure Process Analysis code (RFPA), was used to perform a microscopic analysis of a crack in a fiber-reinforced ceramic, when the crack length is the same order of magnitude as the fiber spacing. The numerical results performed in the paper shown the failure process of fiber-reinforced ceramic subjected to tension loading, which indicate that the reinforcing fibers in a ceramic composite have a significant effect in inhibiting crack propagation even during the stages of the development of crack. Moreover, the fiber evidently increased the load-carrying capacity.