This book explores damage growth and fracture processes in cementitious, ceramic, polymer and metal matrix composites, integrating properties like stiffness and strength with observation at below macroscopic scale. Advances in multiscale modelling and analysis pertain directly to materials which either have a range of relevant microstructural scales, like metals, or do not have a well-defined microstructure, like cementitious or ceramic composites.

Integrating macroscopic properties with observations at lower levels, this book details advances in multiscale modelling and analysis pertaining to classes of composites which either have a wider range of relevant microstructural scales, such as metals, or do not have a very well-defined microstructure, e.g. cementitious or ceramic composites. The IUTAM symposia proceedings provide a platform for extensive further discussion and research.

The IUTAM Symposium on?Multiscale Modelling of Damage and Fracture Processes in Composite Materials? was held in Kazimierz Dolny, Poland, 23 -27 May 2005. The Symposium was attended by 48 persons from 15 countries. During 5 day meeting, 4 keynote lectures and 39 invited lectures were presented. This volume constitutes the Proceedings of the IUTAM Symposium. The main aim of the Symposium was to discuss the basic principles of damage growth and fracture processes in different types of composites: ceramic, polymer and metal matrix composites, cement and bituminous composites and wood. Nowadays, it is widely recognized that important macroscopic properties like the macroscopic stiffness and strength, are governed by processes that occur at one to several scales below the level of observation starting from nanoscale. Understanding how these processes influence the reduction of stiffness and strength is essential for the analysis of existing and the design of improved composite materials. The study of how these various length scales can be linked together or taken into account simultaneously is particular attractive for composite materials, since they have a well-defined structure at the nano, micro and meso-levels. The well-defined microstructural level can be associated with small particles or fibres, while the individual laminae can be indentified at the mesoscopic level. Moreover, the advances in multiscale modelling of damage and fracture processes to the description of the complete constitutive behaviour in composites which do not have a very well-defined microstructure, e.g. cementitious, bitumous composites and wood was analysed.

Helps to understand the basic principles of damage growth and fracture processes in cementitious, ceramic, polymer and metal matrix composites.

Integrating macroscopic properties with observations at lower levels, this book details advances in multiscale modelling and analysis pertaining to classes of composites which either have a wider range of relevant microstructural scales, such as metals, or do not have a very well-defined microstructure, e.g. cementitious or ceramic composites. The IUTAM symposia proceedings provide a platform for extensive further discussion and research.

This book presents the state-of-the-art in multiscale modeling and simulation techniques for composite materials and structures. It focuses on the structural and functional properties of engineering composites and the sustainable high performance of components and structures. The multiscale techniques can be also applied to nanocomposites which are important application areas in nanotechnology. There are few books available on this topic.

One of the most important and exciting areas of composites research is the development of modelling techniques to predict the response of composite materials to different types of stress. Predictive modelling provides the opportunity both to understand better how composites behave in different conditions and to develop materials with enhanced performance for particular industrial applications. Multi-scale modelling of composite material systems summarises the key research in this area and its implications for industry. The book covers modelling approaches ranging from the micron to the metre in scale, and from the single fibre to complete composite structures. Individual chapters discuss a variety of material types from laminates and fibre-reinforced composites to monolithic and sandwich composites. They also analyse a range of types of stress and stress response from fracture and impact to wear and fatigue. Authors also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of particular models. With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Multi-scale modelling of composite material systems is a standard reference for both academics and manufacturers in such areas as aerospace, automotive and civil engineering. Extensive coverage of this important and exciting area of composites research Understand how composites behave in different circumstances Compiled by an expert panel of authors and editors