Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


ucin1235433423.pdf (2 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Prediction of Elastic Properties of a Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Fiber Polymeric Composite Material Using Cohesive Zone Modeling

Kulkarni, Mandar Madhukar
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1235433423

Abstract Details

2009, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering : Aerospace Engineering.
Fiber composite materials are ideal engineered materials to carry loads and stresses in the fiber direction due to their high in-plane specific mechanical properties. However, premature failure due to low transverse mechanical properties constitutes a fundamental weakness of composites. A solution to this problem is being addressed through the creation of a nano-reinforced laminated composite (NRLC) materials where carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are grown on the surface of the fiber filaments to improve the matrix-dominated properties. The carbon nanotubes increase the effective diameter of the fiber and provide a much larger interface area for the polymeric matrix to wet the fiber. The objective of this thesis work is to numerically predict the elastic properties of these nano-reinforced fiber composites. Finite Element Method (FEM) is used to evaluate the effective mechanical properties employing a 2D and 3D cylindrical representative volume element (RVE) based on multiscale modeling approach. In continuum mechanics, perfect bonding is assumed between the carbon fiber and the polymer matrix and between the carbon nanotubes and the polymer matrix. In the multiscale modeling approach in this work, cohesive zone approach is employed to model the interface between carbon fiber and polymer matrix and between the CNTs and the polymer matrix. Traction-displacement plots obtained from molecular dynamics simulations are used to derive the constitutive properties of the cohesive zone material model used for CNT-Polymer interface. For NRLC, the cohesive zone material model properties are assumed based on the information found in the literature. Effective material constants are extracted from the solutions of the RVE for different loading cases using theory of elasticity of isotropic and transversely isotropic materials. Experimental mechanical characterization data is used for correlation and validation of numerical results. It is observed that the cohesive zone material model is capable of capturing the interface behavioral details and provides more realistic results for the mechanical response of composite materials. Experimental results show that the potential improvement in matrix-dominated properties of the NRLC suggested by the numerical study can be realized only with the availability of improved and sophisticated NRLC fabrication techniques.
Jandro Abot, PhD (Committee Chair)
Ala Tabiei, PhD (Committee Member)
Dong Qian, PhD (Committee Member)
93 p.
Aerospace Materials; Engineering; Materials Science; Mechanics
Carbon Nanotubes; Composite Materials; Cohesive Zone Model; Delamination; Finite Element Method

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kulkarni, M. M. (2009). Prediction of Elastic Properties of a Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Fiber Polymeric Composite Material Using Cohesive Zone Modeling [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1235433423

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kulkarni, Mandar. Prediction of Elastic Properties of a Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Fiber Polymeric Composite Material Using Cohesive Zone Modeling. 2009. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1235433423.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kulkarni, Mandar. "Prediction of Elastic Properties of a Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Fiber Polymeric Composite Material Using Cohesive Zone Modeling." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1235433423

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1235433423
1,723
© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.