Lattice modelling of the failure of particle composites

Three-phase particle composites are modelled by a beam lattice. The second, hard phase (particle) is a linear elastic material. However, to improve the representation of the lattice model, tension softening of the matrix and/or the interface between the particle and the matrix is introduced. Moreover, as each beam element in the lattice is short and deep, instead of using the Euler-Bernoulli theory, beam elements based on the Timoshenko theory are introduced to enhance accuracy. Finally, the effect of finite deformations is also investigated due to the large displacements and/or rotations likely to be involved with the evolution of the damage. Numerical results for particle composites are presented and discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.