Multiscale failure of laminated composites using the boundary element method

Abstract

This project has as its main objective the construction of computational tools capable offacilitating multiscale failure analysis in laminated composites through analytical and numerical modelling. Failure will be analyzed by two multiscale approaches. In the local approach, imperfections, such as voids, microcracks or delaminations, are numerically adressed. Then, using homogenization models or energy-based strategies, scales are coupled. In the global approach, imperfections are introduced by statistical parameters. Then, scales are coupled using homogenization models. At the macroscale it will be used the anisotropic and the transversely isotropic 3D fundamental solutions. These solutions, for being analytical, imply in computational gain when they are compared with similar numerical solutions. Additionally, aceleration techniques will be used for the BEM, such as the Adaptive Cross Approximation - ACA. The combination of the analytical 3D transversely anisotropic solution with ACA will result in a substancial memory and processing speed gain, that is of main importance when big problems are being analized, such as multiscale problems. Is proposed herewith also a one-year intership at Universita degli studi di Enna "Kore", under the supervision of Dr. Alessandro Brancati, expert in BEM aceleration methods.