This review presents the potential that lattice ~or spring network! models hold for micromechanics applications. The models have their origin in the atomistic representations of matter on one hand, and in the truss-type systems in engineering on the other. The paper evolves by first giving a rather detailed presentation of one-dimensional and planar lattice models for classical continua. This i...

The mechanical behavior of rough interfaces is modeled from a micromechanical viewpoint. A kinematically driven mechanistic approach is adopted which explicitly considers the interaction of asperities on the fracture surface. The mating asperities are assumed to behave in accordance with contact mechanics postulates of non-conforming bodies. The roughness of the fracture surface is represented ...

The emergence and evolution of energy micro-generators during the last 2 decades has delivered a wealth harvesting powering solutions, with capability exploiting wide range motion types, from impulse low frequency irregular human motion, to broadband vibrations ultrasonic waves. It also created background engineering microsytems, including fabrication methods, system concepts optimal functional...

Dilute, Self-Consistent (SC), Mori–Tanaka (MT) and differential micromechanics methods are developed for microcrack-weakened thermopiezoelectric solids. These methods are capable of determination of effective properties such as the conductivity, electroelastic moduli, thermal expansion and pyroelectric coefficients. The above material constants affected by the microcracks are derived by way of ...

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and micromechanical modeling are used to predict the bulk-level Young’s modulus of polycarbonate and polyimide polymer systems as a function of representative volume element (RVE) size and force field type. The bulk-level moduli are determined using the predicted moduli of individual finite-sized RVEs (microstates) using a simple averaging scheme and an energ...

Graphene oxide (GO) has become a well-established reinforcement for polymer-based nanocomposites. It provides stronger interfacial interaction with the matrix when compared with that of graphene, but its intrinsic stiffness and strength are somewhat compromised because of the presence of functional groups damaging the graphene lattice and increasing its thickness, and its tendency to adopt a cr...