Multi-physics Response of Structural Composites and Framework for Modeling Using Material Geometry

Structural composite materials are now being engineered with increasingly complex heterogeneous morphology to achieve multi-functionality and reliable performance in extreme environments. Therefore, bulk response of material is inherently dependent on local morphology. Prognosis of structural composites via simulation (virtual or digital twin) will require understanding and mathematical representation of fundamental mechanisms of such interactions for a variety of service conditions. Although progress has been made regarding prognosis of material state changes due to mechanical loading, their synergistic response in a multi-physical environment is not fully understood. As a first step to address this broader scientific challenge, this paper examines how multi-physical environment (such as electrical field) causes microstructural changes in structural composites and hence may affect structural performance. Preliminary results show that increasing magnitude of electrical current can cause significant degradation. On the other hand, multi-physical behavior depends on local microstructure and resulting anisotropic nature of composite material. Details of expreimnetal procedure, results and a framework for future modeling approaches has been reported.