Mechanics of Platelet-Matrix Composites across Scales: Theory, Multiscale Modeling, and 3D Fabrication

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dc.contributor.advisorShahsavari, Rouzbehen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberNagarajaiah, Satishen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberAjayan, Pulickelen_US
dc.creatorSakhavand, Naviden_US
dc.date.accessioned2016-01-25T21:41:20Zen_US
dc.date.available2016-01-25T21:41:20Zen_US
dc.date.created2015-05en_US
dc.date.issued2015-04-24en_US
dc.date.submittedMay 2015en_US
dc.date.updated2016-01-25T21:41:20Zen_US
dc.description.abstractMany natural and biomimetic composites - such as nacre, silk and clay-polymer - exhibit a remarkable balance of strength, toughness, and/or stiffness, which call for a universal measure to quantify this outstanding feature given the platelet-matrix structure and material characteristics of the constituents. Analogously, there is an urgent need to quantify the mechanics of emerging electronic and photonic systems such as stacked heterostructures, which are composed of strong in-plane bonding networks but weak interplanar bonding matrices. In this regard, development of a universal composition-structure-property map for natural platelet-matrix composites, and stacked heterostructures opens up new doors for designing materials with superior mechanical performance. In this dissertation, a multiscale bottom-up approach is adopted to analyze and predict the mechanical properties of platelet-matrix composites. Design guidelines are provided by developing universally valid (across different length scales) diagrams for science-based engineering of numerous natural and synthetic platelet-matrix composites and stacked heterostructures while significantly broadening the spectrum of strategies for fabricating new composites with specific and optimized mechanical properties. First, molecular dynamics simulations are utilized to unravel the fundamental underlying physics and chemistry of the binding nature at the atomic-level interface of organic-inorganic composites. Polymer-cementitious composites are considered as case studies to understand bonding mechanism at the nanoscale and open up new venues for potential mechanical enhancement at the macro-scale. Next, sophisticated mathematical derivations based on elasticity and plasticity theories are presented to describe pre-crack (intrinsic) mechanical performance of platelet-matrix composites at the microscale. These derivations lead to developing a unified framework to construct series of universal composition-structure-property maps that decode the interplay between various geometries and inherent material features, encapsulated in a few dimensionless parameters. Finally, after crack mechanical properties (extrinsic) of platelet-matrix composites until ultimate failure of the material at the macroscale is investigated via combinatorial finite element simulations. The effect of different composition-structure-property parameters on mechanical properties synergies are depicted via 2D and 3D maps. 3D-printed specimens are fabricated and tested against the theoretical prediction. The combination of the presented diagrams and guidelines paves the path toward platelet-matrix composites and stacked-heterostructures with superior and optimized mechanical properties.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.citationSakhavand, Navid. "Mechanics of Platelet-Matrix Composites across Scales: Theory, Multiscale Modeling, and 3D Fabrication." (2015) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/88122">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/88122</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/88122en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectPlatelet-Matrixen_US
dc.subjectCompositeen_US
dc.subjectContinuumen_US
dc.subject3D-printingen_US
dc.subjectMolecular Dynamicsen_US
dc.subjectFinite Element Analysisen_US
dc.subjectUniversal Mapsen_US
dc.subjectMechanical Propertiesen_US
dc.subjectStrengthen_US
dc.subjectToughnessen_US
dc.titleMechanics of Platelet-Matrix Composites across Scales: Theory, Multiscale Modeling, and 3D Fabricationen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentCivil and Environmental Engineeringen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineeringen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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