Analysis on Different Scales

The analysis of a composite laminate is comparatively difficult as it spans different length scales. At the micro level, individual fibers and particles embedded in a matrix material are considered, and at the macro level, the homogenized behavior of the composite laminate is considered.

Micromechanics Analysis

This analysis considers the modeling of individual layers using representative volume elements of fibers and particles in a matrix. The micromechanics analysis is used to compute the homogenized material properties of a single layer.

Macromechanics Analysis

This analysis considers the modeling of a laminate having many layers. The homogenized material properties of a single layer, computed in the micromechanics analysis, is the input to this analysis. The aim is to compute the response of a laminate under various loading conditions.

Multiscale Analysis

In a multiscale analysis, you typically compute the global response using a macromechanics analysis, and then use the global stress and strain field in a set of points to as boundary conditions for a microscale model, in order to determine local stresses and strains.