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Multi-Scale Modeling of Advanced Materials: Numerical Methods and Experimental Research

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Simulation and Design".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2024 | Viewed by 5262

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Science and Engineering, University of Derby, Derby DE22, UK
Interests: computational mechanics; composite materials; aerospace structures; multifield interactions; smart sensors; optimisation algorithms; 3D printing; homogenisation techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Science and Engineering, University of Derby, Derby DE22, UK
Interests: advanced materials; computational modelling; aerospace defense; damage; fracture mechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the last decades, relevant progress has been in the area of advanced materials like composites, lightweight and high-strength alloys, shape-memory alloys, high-entropy alloys, and many more besides. The effective usage of these materials is strictly related to the understanding and the development of advanced constitutive models to adequately describe the mechanical behaviour of this class of materials. Areas of application include the aerospace, automotive and transportation industries, electronics, medical device, and sport industries. To set a thematic focus beyond the areas of application, we are specifically looking for contributions on:

  • Novel and multiscale numerical methods for the prediction, analysis, and design of the mechanical properties, including computational damage and fracture mechanics.
  • Theoretical and fundamental insights into the microstructure–property relationships for this advanced class of materials.
  • Understanding the manufacturing processes, deformation mechanisms, and mechanical/failure responses of advanced materials.
  • Theoretical and experimental investigations of the connection between the manufacturing processes and the physical mechanisms of the interactions between plasticity, damage, and fracturing, among other defects.
  • Advanced numerical and experimental methods for studying the microstructure, process, full-field measurements across different length scales, and various microscopic visualization methods.

Moreover, the focal topics listed above are not meant to exclude articles from additional areas. Similarly, we do not intend to limit the Special Issue’s focus on consolidated manufacturing processes or classical numerical methods, although it can be extended to emerging areas such as the additive manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing of advanced and designed materials or to computational thermodynamics in material modelling.

Dr. Stefano Valvano
Prof. Dr. Angelo Maligno
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • multiscale modelling
  • multifield problems
  • nano- and microstructure characterization
  • homogenized properties
  • numerical methods
  • damage and fracture
  • experimental testing

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 6758 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Applicability of Waste Rubber in Insulation Panels with Regard to Its Grain Size and Panel Thickness
by Zdravko Cimbola, Anđelko Crnoja, Ivana Barišić and Ivanka Netinger Grubeša
Materials 2024, 17(21), 5251; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17215251 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 289
Abstract
This paper explores the effect of waste rubber grain size on the porosity, modulus of elasticity, thermal properties, and soundproofing performance of polymer composites with different thicknesses (10, 15, and 20 mm). All properties were tested in accordance with European standards, with the [...] Read more.
This paper explores the effect of waste rubber grain size on the porosity, modulus of elasticity, thermal properties, and soundproofing performance of polymer composites with different thicknesses (10, 15, and 20 mm). All properties were tested in accordance with European standards, with the exception of porosity, which was measured using Archimedes’ principle. The findings indicate that with a consistent amount of polyurethane glue, finer rubber grains result in composites with higher porosity, leading to a lower modulus of elasticity but enhanced thermal and sound insulation. In contrast, coarser rubber grains produced composites with lower porosity and a higher modulus of elasticity, though with slightly reduced thermal insulation and significantly worse soundproofing. A combination of fine and coarse rubber grains provided a balanced performance, offering both good thermal and sound insulation while maintaining a high modulus of elasticity. Among the thicknesses tested, 15 mm was identified as optimal, combining a relatively high modulus of elasticity, low thermal conductivity, and better airborne sound insulation index. Future research will focus on applying this composite in concrete building products that meet noise protection and energy efficiency standards. Full article
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26 pages, 10663 KiB  
Article
Modelling of Fluid Permeability at the Interface of the Metal-to-Metal Sealing Surface
by Przemysław Jaszak, Jan Oredsson and Rafał Grzejda
Materials 2024, 17(21), 5194; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17215194 - 24 Oct 2024
Viewed by 382
Abstract
This paper presents a method for modelling the permeability of fluid at the interface formed between flat parallel plates and the sharp-edged ridges of a metal gasket. This work was divided into three stages. In the first stage, numerical calculations simulating the deformation [...] Read more.
This paper presents a method for modelling the permeability of fluid at the interface formed between flat parallel plates and the sharp-edged ridges of a metal gasket. This work was divided into three stages. In the first stage, numerical calculations simulating the deformation (compression of the gasket) were performed. The calculations were carried out using thermomechanical static analysis with commercial software. The purpose of these calculations was to determine the contact area of the gasket ridges with the plates, the deformation of the gasket ridges, and the reaction force resulting from the degree of compression of the gasket. In the second part of this work, analytical calculations were performed to estimate the tightness level. The analytical model proposed in this paper was based on Darcy’s equation, simulating fluid flow through a ring-shaped porous layer. The analytical model also took into account the shape of the roughness profile of the sealed surfaces. A mathematical Ausloos–Berman function based on fractal theory was used to represent it. In the last part of this work, experimental tests were carried out to determine the actual fluid permeability and thus verify the numerical and analytical calculations. Full article
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14 pages, 8730 KiB  
Article
Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Lattice Structures: An Application of Artificial Neural Networks Algorithms
by Jiaxuan Bai, Menglong Li and Jianghua Shen
Materials 2024, 17(17), 4222; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174222 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 683
Abstract
The yield strength and Young’s modulus of lattice structures are essential mechanical parameters that influence the utilization of materials in the aerospace and medical fields. Currently, accurately determining the Young’s modulus and yield strength of lattice structures often requires conduction of a large [...] Read more.
The yield strength and Young’s modulus of lattice structures are essential mechanical parameters that influence the utilization of materials in the aerospace and medical fields. Currently, accurately determining the Young’s modulus and yield strength of lattice structures often requires conduction of a large number of experiments for prediction and validation purposes. To save time and effort to accurately predict the material yield strength and Young’s modulus, based on the existing experimental data, finite element analysis is employed to expand the dataset. An artificial neural network algorithm is then used to establish a relationship model between the topology of the lattice structure and Young’s modulus (the yield strength), which is analyzed and verified. The Gibson–Ashby model analysis indicates that different lattice structures can be classified into two main deformation forms. To obtain an artificial neural network model that can accurately predict different lattice structures and be deployed in the prediction of BCC-FCC lattice structures, the artificial network model is further optimized and validated. Concurrently, the topology of disparate lattice structures gives rise to a certain discrete form of their dominant deformation, which consequently affects the neural network prediction. In conclusion, the prediction of Young’s modulus and yield strength of lattice structures using artificial neural networks is a feasible approach that can contribute to the development of lattice structures in the aerospace and medical fields. Full article
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14 pages, 5595 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Properties of Eco-Friendly, Lightweight Flax and Hybrid Basalt/Flax Foam Core Sandwich Panels
by Marzena Pawlik, Urvashi Gunputh, Daniel Odiyi, Sarah Odofin, Huirong Le, Paul Wood, Angelo Maligno and Yiling Lu
Materials 2024, 17(15), 3842; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17153842 - 2 Aug 2024
Viewed by 919
Abstract
Greener materials, particularly in sandwich panels, are in increasing demand in the transportation and building sectors to reduce environmental impacts. This shift is driven by strict environmental legislation and the need to reduce material costs and fuel consumption, necessitating the utilisation of more [...] Read more.
Greener materials, particularly in sandwich panels, are in increasing demand in the transportation and building sectors to reduce environmental impacts. This shift is driven by strict environmental legislation and the need to reduce material costs and fuel consumption, necessitating the utilisation of more sustainable components in the transportation and construction sectors, with improved load-bearing capabilities and diminished ecological footprints. Therefore, this study aims to analyse and evaluate the structural performance of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) core and flax or basalt/flax FRP sandwich panels as an alternative to conventional synthetic materials. The novel eco-friendly sandwich panels were manufactured using the co-curing technique. Four-point bending, edgewise compression and core shear tests were performed and insights into how the skin properties affect the strength, stiffness and failure mode of specimens were provided. The stress–strain behaviour, facing modulus and strength, flexural rigidity, core shear strength and failure modes were evaluated. The flexural facing modulus of the flax and flax/basalt sandwich skins were found to be 5.1 GPa and 9.8 GPa, respectively. The flexural rigidity of the eco-friendly sandwich panel was compared with published results and demonstrated a promising structural performance. The environmental benefits and challenges were outlined and critically evaluated focusing on transportation and construction applications. Full article
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20 pages, 11541 KiB  
Article
The Beneficial Effect of a TPMS-Based Fillet Shape on the Mechanical Strength of Metal Cubic Lattice Structures
by Christian Iandiorio, Gianmarco Mattei, Emanuele Marotta, Girolamo Costanza, Maria Elisa Tata and Pietro Salvini
Materials 2024, 17(7), 1553; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071553 - 28 Mar 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1060
Abstract
The goal of this paper is to improve the mechanical strength-to-weight ratios of metal cubic lattice structures using unit cells with fillet shapes inspired by triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS). The lattice structures here presented were fabricated from AA6082 aluminum alloy using lost-PLA [...] Read more.
The goal of this paper is to improve the mechanical strength-to-weight ratios of metal cubic lattice structures using unit cells with fillet shapes inspired by triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS). The lattice structures here presented were fabricated from AA6082 aluminum alloy using lost-PLA processing. Static and dynamic flat and wedge compression tests were conducted on samples with varying fillet shapes and fill factors. Finite element method simulations followed the static tests to compare numerical predictions with experimental outcomes, revealing a good agreement. The TPSM-type fillet shape induces a triaxial stress state that significantly improves the mechanical strength-to-weight ratio compared to fillet radius-free lattices, which was also confirmed by analytical considerations. Dynamic tests exhibited high resistance to flat impacts, while wedge impacts, involving a high concentrated-load, brought out an increased sensitivity to strain rates with a short plastic deformation followed by abrupt fragmentation, indicating a shift towards brittle behavior. Full article
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55 pages, 26035 KiB  
Article
On the Importance of the Recovery Procedure in the Semi-Analytical Solution for the Static Analysis of Curved Laminated Panels: Comparison with 3D Finite Elements
by Francesco Tornabene, Matteo Viscoti and Rossana Dimitri
Materials 2024, 17(3), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030588 - 25 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1284
Abstract
The manuscript presents an efficient semi-analytical solution with three-dimensional capabilities for the evaluation of the static response of laminated curved structures subjected to general external loads. A two-dimensional model is presented based on the Equivalent Single Layer (ESL) approach, where the displacement field [...] Read more.
The manuscript presents an efficient semi-analytical solution with three-dimensional capabilities for the evaluation of the static response of laminated curved structures subjected to general external loads. A two-dimensional model is presented based on the Equivalent Single Layer (ESL) approach, where the displacement field components are described with a generalized formulation based on a higher-order expansion along the thickness direction. The fundamental equations are derived from the Hamiltonian principle, and the solution is found by means of Navier’s approach. Then, an efficient recovery procedure, derived from the three-dimensional elasticity equations and based on the Generalized Differential Quadrature (GDQ) method, is adopted for the derivation of the three-dimensional solution. Some examples of investigation are presented, where the numerical predictions of refined three-dimensional Finite-Element-based models are matched with a high level of accuracy. The model is validated for both straight and curved panels, taking into account different lamination schemes and load shapes. Furthermore, it is shown that the numerical solution to the elasticity problem in the recovery procedure is determining and accurately predicting the three-dimensional static response of the doubly-curved shell solid. Full article
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