Accession Number:

ADA399710

Title:

Characterization and Design of Electromagnetic, Chemical and Thermal Transport Processes for Multi-Phase Systems

Descriptive Note:

Final project rept. 1 Dec 1998-30 Nov 2001

Corporate Author:

WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INST MA DEPT OF MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

Personal Author(s):

• Lipton, Robert P.

Report Date:

2001-11-30

Pagination or Media Count:

19.0

Abstract:

The work done in this project provides new mathematical tools necessary for the description of the qualitative behavior of composite materials. These tools are used to develop numerical algorithms for the design of composite structures. The first part of this project provides new analytical results necessary for understanding the macroscopic effects of field concentrations arising from the composite microgrometry. These results form the basis of new a numerical method for the design of elastic composites subject to stress constraints. The numerical methods provide rigorous guidance for the design of reinforced structures for maximum specific stiffness and strength. Similar results are obtained for multi phase dielectric materials. A numerical method is developed to solve design problems requiring the control of the electric field in composite dielectrics. The second part of the project predicts novel physical phenomena for reinforced materials in the presence of imperfect bonding. These results are unlike phenomena seen in more traditional treatments where the interface between constituents is treated as a perfect bond. The difference is that reinforcement size effects are predicted. New results are found for imperfectly bonded nonlinear dielectric materials and reinforcement problems in linear elasticity. These results provide guidance for the robust design of particle and fiber reinforced elastic composite structures in the presence of imperfect bonding.

Descriptors:

• *COMPOSITE MATERIALS
• *ELASTIC PROPERTIES
• *COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
• BONDING
• NUMERICAL METHODS AND PROCEDURES
• REINFORCING MATERIALS
• GRADIENTS

Subject Categories:

• Laminates and Composite Materials
• Structural Engineering and Building Technology
• Mechanics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE