Computational mesomechanics of particle-reinforced composites

Numerical models of deformation, damage and fracture in particle-reinforced composite materials, based on the method of multiphase finite elements (MP FE) and element elimination technique (EET), are presented in this paper. T he applicability of these techniques for different materials and different levels of simulation was studied. The simulation of damage and crack growth was conducted for several groups of composites: WC/Co hard metal alloys, A l/Si and Al/SiC composites on macro- and mesolevel. It is shown that the us ed modern techniques of numerical simulation (MPFE and EET) are very effici ent in understanding deformation and damage evolution in heterogeneous brit tle/ductile materials with inclusions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.