Phase field modeling of brittle fracture in nacre inspired composites under dynamic loading
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The development of advanced composite materials has spurred interest in achieving outstanding mechanical properties for engineering applications. This study delves into the creation of high-performance composite materials by drawing inspiration from the exceptional mechanical characteristics of nacre. Nacre's distinct ``brick-mortar" microstructure, characterized by a unique waviness angle, has been identified as a crucial factor contributing to its impressive strength and toughness. While attempts have been made to replicate this microstructure in bio-inspired composites, a comprehensive understanding of the impact of interlocking microstructures on mechanical performance remains crucial. This research conducts a parametric study on nacre-inspired composites under dynamic loading conditions by considering various models, encompassing stiff and soft phases with interlocking, non-interlocking, and conventional rectangular brick-mortar geometries. The parametric investigation specifically explores the influence of waviness angle on the strength and mechanical fracture response of these composites under dynamic loading conditions. Moreover, the use of an open-source finite element implementation of the proposed phase field model using the Gridap package in Julia will enable researchers across the world to explore the phase field model for understanding dynamic fracture in different types of bioinspired composite.