{"title":"Identification and modeling of sandwich composite for possible structural reuse after over 20 years working as aerodynamic shell","authors":"Ł. Pyrzowski, M. Rucka, A. Sabik","doi":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119039","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119039","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper focuses on the identification and modeling of a sandwich composite material derived from a decommissioned wind turbine blade for potential structural reuse. The main research question was whether it is possible, based solely on the recovered material, to achieve an identification accurate enough to model the nonlinear response of the shell structure with satisfactory agreement. To address this, material parameters and constitutive laws were identified and validated separately for both the laminate and the foam. Three-point bending tests of sandwich beams were then performed and then simulated based on the previous assumptions and identifications. The comparison showed that the results of numerical analysis can be highly accurate when compared with experimental data. This confirms the validity of proposed methodology for material identification and material models.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":281,"journal":{"name":"Composite Structures","volume":"360 ","pages":"Article 119039"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143580614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A critical verification of beam and shell models of wind turbine blades","authors":"Ernesto Camarena, Evan Anderson","doi":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.118999","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.118999","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ever-increasing wind turbine size has challenged predictive capabilities on several fronts. To address part of the blade structural modeling uncertainty, a systematic model fidelity comparison study was conducted on commonly used finite elements. pyNuMAD was utilized to create beam, shell, and solid models of a 100 m long blade undergoing large static deflections. The solid model avoided the use of layered-solid elements by resolving core and facesheet layers. An unprecedented model with 73.7 million elements revealed insights that have never been possible from prior experimental and numerical studies. As compared to the solid element model, the tip deflection from the shell and beam model was found to be about 2% and 4.3% too low, respectively. The twist from the beam model was found to be about 5.6% too high, while the twist from shell model was 24% too low, though improvement was demonstrated with mesh refinement. The beam model adhesive stresses were more accurate than the shell model. Out-of-plane stresses were of great significance near geometric and material discontinuities, and neither the shell nor beam model captured these effects well. Failure predictions from beam, shell, or layered-solid models are unlikely to be reliable at trailing edges, adhesives, ply-drops, spar-cap boundaries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":281,"journal":{"name":"Composite Structures","volume":"360 ","pages":"Article 118999"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143570571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiangxi Li , Mengze Li , Fengyi Zhang , Fanrui Kong , Di Yang , Weiwei Qu , Yinglin Ke
{"title":"A novel method for constructing 3D void RVE elements and rapid homogenization of composite materials","authors":"Xiangxi Li , Mengze Li , Fengyi Zhang , Fanrui Kong , Di Yang , Weiwei Qu , Yinglin Ke","doi":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119040","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119040","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article provides a method for modeling large-scale three-dimensional (3D) void defect Representative Volume Elements (RVE) with high fiber volume fractions and performing rapid homogenization. A 3D multi-section void construction method based on the Ferguson curve is proposed, along with an “inertia algorithm” that obtains optimal fiber positioning by minimizing overall inertia, taking the influence of void positioning into account. This method enables the rapid generation of 3D void defect RVE models with high fiber volume fractions. A model simplification and rapid homogenization method based on a multi-scale approach is proposed, in which the RVE containing void defects is treated as a mesoscopic structure with fiber-resin and void regions considered as two microcosmic structures. The fiber-resin region is regarded as a new material, simplifying the initial fiber-resin-void three-phase model into a two-phase model of the new material and voids. The simplified model has only 9.2% of the initial mesh elements and a homogenization time of 6.7%, achieving rapid homogenization. The rapid homogenization method was validated using two existing void RVE models, revealing an accuracy of over 95% for the obtained elastic constants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":281,"journal":{"name":"Composite Structures","volume":"360 ","pages":"Article 119040"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143610827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chao Zhang , Zhouyang Bian , Tinh Quoc Bui , Jose L Curiel-Sosa
{"title":"A tree-based machine learning surrogate model for predicting off-axis tensile mechanical properties of 2.5D woven composites at high temperatures","authors":"Chao Zhang , Zhouyang Bian , Tinh Quoc Bui , Jose L Curiel-Sosa","doi":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119044","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119044","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Textile composite structures in specific engineering applications can face safety concerns arising from exposure to high temperatures and off-axis loadings. High-fidelity finite element (FE) simulations and analytical models are both labor-intensive and time-consuming when predicting the mechanical behavior of textile composites under such loadings. To address this challenge, we develop a tree-based machine learning (ML) surrogate model for predicting the off-axis mechanical properties of warp-reinforced 2.5D woven composites in high temperature environments. To this setting, the tensile modulus and strength can be directly obtained based on the given temperature and off-axis angle, and the predicted results are in good agreement with FE simulations solutions. This study is expected to offer novel insights for the development of early warning systems that monitor abnormal temperatures and off-axis loadings in textile composite structures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":281,"journal":{"name":"Composite Structures","volume":"360 ","pages":"Article 119044"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143580616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Constitutive model for nonlinear anisotropic swelling and self-growing of polymers and gels","authors":"Guangzheng Lv , Yunlong Li , Haohui Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119020","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Due to exceptional swelling properties, gel polymers can form shape-deforming structures, rendering them suitable for applications. Research on dynamic polymers and polymer gels has developed several novel mechanisms beyond the swelling mechanism. These novel mechanisms also enable dynamic polymers to undergo shape transformations over time within a solution environment. Specifically, under certain environmental conditions, monomer solutions can undergo monomer insertion and facilitate the formation of new polymer chains. This process endows the polymer gel network with self-growing characteristics, making it better suited to meet the demands of applications in engineering. Introducing anisotropy into hydrogels makes it possible to meet the demands for non-uniform deformation of polymer gel structures in many scenarios, thereby facilitating the programmable anisotropic swelling. Although the potential applications of these technologies are extensive, many aspects of the self-growth and swelling deformation behaviors in anisotropic polymer gels remain underexplored. A micro-theoretical investigation into the self-growth process of fiber-reinforced polymer gels is proposed. The embedding of fibers within the growable polymer matrix is shown to guide the material toward exhibiting overall anisotropic behavior. To describe this response in detail, a constitutive model for self-growing fiber-reinforced polymer gels was developed and implemented through numerical simulations, which provides a theoretical foundation for predicting the complex deformation behaviors of anisotropic biomaterials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":281,"journal":{"name":"Composite Structures","volume":"360 ","pages":"Article 119020"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143580619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ziwei Li , Junjie Ye , Lu Liu , Yiwei Wang , Yang Li , Yang Shi , Dianzi Liu
{"title":"A micromechanical model for the determination of nonlinear coupled electro-magneto-thermo-elastic effects on magnetoelectric composites","authors":"Ziwei Li , Junjie Ye , Lu Liu , Yiwei Wang , Yang Li , Yang Shi , Dianzi Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Magnetoelectric (ME) composites composed of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials have excellent energy conversion properties. In this paper, a novel micromechanical modeling framework is proposed to study the effective material properties and nonlinear electro-magneto-elastic behaviors of magnetoelectric composites under multiple physical fields. Initially, a fully coupled nonlinear electro-magneto-thermo-elastic constitutive relationship is established. Based on finite volume direct averaging micromechanics (FVDAM), the local stress, electric displacement and magnetic flux density distribution of discrete elements are obtained by constructing the generalized local stiffness matrix and assembling the global stiffness matrix. The equivalent material coefficients of the magnetoelectric composite are obtained by employing the homogenization technique. Results of the numerical model are compared with different discrete elements and experimental data to verify the convergence and effectiveness of the developed algorithm. Moreover, effects of external prestress, ambient temperature, microscopic structure and applied magnetic field intensity on material properties such as magnetoelectric and piezomagnetic coefficients are investigated. Finally, the influences of initial damage and constituent phase volume fraction on the equivalent material coefficient and local mechanical response are discussed. The promising results provide a solid foundation for theoretical study and useful insight into the optimal design of high-performance ME composites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":281,"journal":{"name":"Composite Structures","volume":"360 ","pages":"Article 119017"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143592655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Geovane de A.S. da Silva , José R.M. d’Almeida , Daniel C.T. Cardoso , Priscilla S.C. Vieira , Bruno J. Lopes , Antonio H.M. da F.T. da Silva , Valber A. Perrut
{"title":"Development of an extrapolation method to predict the flexural properties of glass-fiber/epoxy composites subject to hygrothermal aging","authors":"Geovane de A.S. da Silva , José R.M. d’Almeida , Daniel C.T. Cardoso , Priscilla S.C. Vieira , Bruno J. Lopes , Antonio H.M. da F.T. da Silva , Valber A. Perrut","doi":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119038","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119038","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work deals with the mechanical degradation of glass-fiber/epoxy composites used in repairs of offshore metal pipelines exposed to aging in a saline environment. The materials used were a bicomponent DGEBA epoxy and a woven bidirectional E-glass fabric. In order to simulate the harsh environment, the composite was exposed to accelerated hygrothermal aging tests in three independent salt spray chambers at temperatures of 35, 55 and 70 °C. The composite had its mass gain and three-point bending properties monitored over time. It was observed that temperature played a major role in accelerating properties’ degradation. Additionally, for long-term exposure, the retention of mechanical properties presented a plateau, which could be perfectly modeled by the modified Phani and Bose model, proposed in this work. An innovative predictive methodology was developed based on this model, allowing extrapolation of long-term aging tests to temperatures different from those analyzed experimentally, including ambient temperature. The methodology developed is the key strength to be highlighted in the work, which allowed data extrapolation, reducing the number of experiments to evaluate the aging process of composites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":281,"journal":{"name":"Composite Structures","volume":"360 ","pages":"Article 119038"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143580615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zahra Khoddami Maraghi , Ali Ghorbanpour Arani , Omer Civalek
{"title":"Comparative analysis of carbon and boron-nitride nanotube reinforcements on the vibration characteristics of magnetostrictive sandwich plates","authors":"Zahra Khoddami Maraghi , Ali Ghorbanpour Arani , Omer Civalek","doi":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119029","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119029","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article presents an analysis of the free vibration behavior of a three-layer sandwich plate with a nanocomposite core. The core is reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs) to enhance its mechanical properties, which are calculated using a micromechanical approach and rule of mixtures. The top and bottom layers consist of magnetostrictive materials, introducing magneto-mechanical coupling that requires a frequency regulation parameter for accurate vibration analysis. The governing equations for each layer are derived based on third-order shear deformation theory (TSDT) and are formulated using Hamilton’s principle. The differential quadrature method is then employed to solve for the plate’s vibration frequency. Key findings reveal the distinct effects of CNT and BNNT reinforcements and different matrixes on the vibration characteristics of the composite plate, as well as the effectiveness of vibration control parameters in frequency reduction. These insights have potential applications across various fields, notably in maritime and civil engineering, highlighting the practical relevance of this study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":281,"journal":{"name":"Composite Structures","volume":"361 ","pages":"Article 119029"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143628788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Salim Belouettar , Mahdi Ben Amor , Bořek Patzák , Heng Hu
{"title":"DeeMa-Hub: Cloud-enabled semantic platform for data-driven multiscale co-design and co-simulation of composite materials and structures","authors":"Salim Belouettar , Mahdi Ben Amor , Bořek Patzák , Heng Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.118980","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.118980","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents DeeMa-Hub, a cloud-based microservices ecosystem designed to support collaborative research and decision making in composite materials design and manufacturing. DeeMa-Hub integrates data management, modeling, co-simulation, and decision-making functionalities into a cohesive collaborative platform. The architecture is organized into three main layers: the Data Layer, the Modeling and Simulation Layer, and the Collaborative Interface Layer, enabling efficient data handling, complex computational workflows, and team-driven processes. The platform’s cloud infrastructure, leveraging Microsoft Azure services, provides scalability, accessibility, and robust data security, accommodating the demands of high-performance composite materials simulations and data analysis. Central to the platform’s operation is the Modeling and Simulation Layer, managed by MuPIF (Multi-Physics Interoperability Framework), which supports interoperable, multi-scale adn multi-physical simulation workflows. This layer uses standardized APIs to handle diverse simulation models and data structures, ensuring integration with various simulation platforms and enabling workflow automation. The Collaborative Layer utilizes Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and Decision Model and Notation (DMN) frameworks to facilitate process management and decision logic, allowing users to collaboratively design and control workflows and decisions in real time. DeeMa-Hub’s cloud-deployed structure supports dynamic scaling, automated resource allocation, and high availability through Azure’s autoscaling and load balancing. The platform is equipped with Azure DevOps for continuous integration and deployment, enabling rapid updates. Through its structured, scalable design, DeeMa-Hub provides a secure, flexible environment for composite materials research, promoting collaborative, data-driven innovation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":281,"journal":{"name":"Composite Structures","volume":"360 ","pages":"Article 118980"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143592659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yongchao Zhang , Jun Cai , Qi Cai , Lian Wang , Xiaofan Gou
{"title":"Strength and energy absorption characteristic of nanoparticle-reinforced composites considering interface curvature dependence","authors":"Yongchao Zhang , Jun Cai , Qi Cai , Lian Wang , Xiaofan Gou","doi":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119036","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119036","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nanoparticle-reinforced composites (NPRCs) have attracted significant interest as an alternative to conventional materials due to excellent mechanical properties. However, there is no mature finite element-based computational method to evaluate the strength and energy absorption properties of NPRCs, especially not taking into account the influence of interfacial effects. We developed a new finite interface element considering interface curvature dependence and established a simulation method for calculating the Young’s modulus and yield strength of NPRCs. We investigated the impact of nanoparticle modulus, geometric distribution, and interface effects on the Young’s modulus, yield strength, and energy absorption characteristics of NPRCs. The results indicate interface bending stiffness moderately enhances the Young’s modulus of NPRCs, but this enhancement diminishes as particle modulus increases. Additionally, the Young’s modulus of NPRC usually increases with the addition of particles, thus, significant particle agglomeration markedly reduces it. Furthermore, interface bending stiffness increases strain energy density in NPMs but decreases its energy absorption efficiency. The thin-walled structure within nanoporous materials (NPMs) is particularly susceptible to buckling under external loads, which markedly increases dependence of yield strength on surface bending stiffness. This study provides a robust, scientifically validated approach to accurately predict the mechanical properties of advanced composite.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":281,"journal":{"name":"Composite Structures","volume":"360 ","pages":"Article 119036"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143580620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}