Numerical prediction of elasto-plastic behaviour of interpenetrating phase composites by EFGM

Interpenetrating Phase Composites (IPCs) can be defined as multiphase materials in which each phase is three-dimensionally interconnected throughout the structure. No phase can be distinguished from the other based on the states of isolation and continuity; however both the phases contribute to the strengthening and improvement of the composite. The tensile and compressive yield and ultimate strengths of IPCs are much higher than a similar particulate composite due to their interpenetrating structure. This behaviour has been numerically simulated using element free Galerkin method. Ramberg-Osgood material model has been used to model the elasto-plastic behaviour of the composite. A progressive damage model has been used to simulate the failure mechanism of each phase. Three types of models have been proposed based on the treatment of the interface. The ultimate strength and the yield strength of IPC are obtained. The ultimate strength and the yield strength of the IPC depend largely on the properties, volume fraction and interpenetration of the constituent phases. The results of the present simulations are found in good agreement with the experimental results. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.