Browsing by Author "Decklever, Jacob"

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    Nanocomposite Material Properties Estimation and Fracture Analysis via Peridynamics and Monte Carlo Simulation
    (2015-04-23) Decklever, Jacob; Spanos, Pol D.; Meade, Andrew J; Padgett, Jamie E
    This thesis presents a numerical model for the estimation of nanocomposite material properties and fracture analysis. A non-uniform peridynamic grid is utilized to simulate the nanocomposites along with Monte Carlo simulation which models single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) distribution, dispersion, curvature, orientation, length, and diameter. First, a random microstructure is generated from the user inputs consisting of a polymer matrix and SWCNTs. The system is then solved via peridynamic techniques and post-processed to obtain the bulk mechanical properties. Utilizing Monte Carlo simulations, the mean effective modulus for a given set of input parameters is derived. Fracture analysis is performed using a single realization and quasi-static loading conditions via peridynamics allowing simultaneous and spontaneous propagating fractures. The model is validated against experimental data available in the open literature.