Multiscale Stochastic Fracture Mechanics of Composites Informed by In-Situ X-Ray CT Tests

  • Razvan Sencu

Student thesis: Phd

Abstract

This thesis presents the development of a new multiscale stochastic fracture mechanics modelling framework informed by in-situ X-ray Computed Tomography (X-ray CT) tests, which can be used to enhance the quality of new designs and prognosis practices for fibre reinforced composites. To reduce the empiricism and conservatism of existing methods, this PhD research systematically has tackled several challenging tasks including: (i) extension of the cohesive interface crack model to multi-phase composites in both 2D and 3D, (ii) development of a new in-house loading rig to support in-situ X-ray CT tests, (iii) reconstruction of low phase-contrast X-ray CT datasets of carbon fibre composites, (iv) integration of X-ray CT image-based models into detailed crack propagation FE modelling and (v) validation of a partially informed multiscale stochastic modelling method by direct comparison with in-situ X-ray CT tensile test results.
Date of Award1 Aug 2017
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • The University of Manchester
SupervisorZhenjun Yang (Supervisor) & Yong Wang (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Reverse Engineering
  • Image-Based Modelling
  • 3D Fibre Tracking
  • Fibre Segmentation
  • Mesh Reconstruction
  • Synchrotron Radiation
  • X-Ray Micro-CT
  • X-Ray Micro-Tomography
  • Overlapping Grid
  • Size-Increasing Grid
  • Cohesive Interface Crack Model
  • Multiscale Coupling
  • Multiscale Stochastic Fracture Mechanics
  • Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP)
  • Scale Transfer

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