ISSN 2319-8885

Vol.02,Issue.08,
August-2013,
Pages:773-779
www.semargroups.org,
www.ijsetr.com

Modeling and Analysis of Aluminum Nanocomposite Material by

Representative Volume Element - A Finite Element Approach
HAYDAR SHAMKHI JABER ALSALAMI1, G.KRISHNA M.RAO2
1

Master of Technology, JNTUH College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering (Engineering Design),
Kukatpally, Hyderabad, A.P-INDIA, E-mail: haydar2200@gmail.com.
2
Prof. of Mechanical Engineering, JNTUH, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, A.P- INDIA.

Abstract: Current project in nanotechnology has produced an increasing number of possibilities for advanced materials.
Among those materials with potential advanced mechanical properties are Nano reinforced composite materials. The most
common materials used as matrix in Nano-composites are Polymers (e.g. epoxy, nylon, polyepoxide, polyetherimide),
Ceramics (e.g. alumina, glass, porcelain), and Metals (e.g. aluminum, iron, steel, titanium). Analysis is considered to Aluminum
AA8090 as a matrix and different types of reinforcement by using (Carbon Nano tubes, Carbon Nano particles, and Carbon
Nano layers). The approach for modeling these Nano-composite structures is that of a Representative Volume Element by using
the software of ANSYS 14.0, Studying mechanical properties such as deformation, and stress and strain of Nano composites
with aligned oriented reinforcement and then make comparison between the results to see which type of reinforcement gives
best performance. In this simulation the tension and compression loads of (100 nN) are applied.
Keywords: Nanocomposite, Finite Element, Aluminum AA8090, Carbon, Nanotubes, Nanoparticles, Nanolayers.
I.

INTRODUCTION

With our continuing quest for lighter and stronger

composites, the demand for new types of composite materials
is increasing. In recent years various composite materials have
been used extensively in aircraft structures, space vehicles,
automobiles, and many consumer products. The main
advantage of composite materials is the potential for a high
ratio of stiffness to weight, corrosion resistance, high fatigue
strength etc. The technology has been explored extensively for
aerospace applications, which require high strength and
stiffness to weight ratio. Composites are the most used
materials in primary frame structures of the aircraft. Because
of their extraordinary mechanical properties so as the
composite materials have an important application in
aerospace industry. [1]. for the implementation of composite
materials in aviation, the most important feature is their
behavior on the dynamic loads and resistance to fatigue. The
amount of use of composite materials increased in now a days
for e.g. 50% of Boeing 787 are used from composites.
Aluminum Metal Matrix Nano Composites (Al-MMNCs)
sought over other conventional materials in the field of
aerospace, automotive and marine applications owing to their
excellent improved properties. These materials are of much
interest to the researchers from few decades. These
composites initially replaced Cast Iron and Bronze alloys but
owing to their poor wear and seizure resistance, they were

subjected to many experiments and the wear behavior of these

composites were explored to a maximum extent and were
reported by number of research scholars for the past 25
years[2].
II. REPRESENTATIVE VOLUME ELEMENT
A different way to solve homogenization problems is to
use numerical techniques and simulations on samples of the
microstructure or even Nanostructure. In that case, the notion
of representative volume element (RVE) is of paramount
importance. The RVE is usually regarded as a volume V of
heterogeneous material that is sufficiently large to be
statistically representative of the composite, i.e., to effectively
include a sampling of all micro structural heterogeneities that
occur in the composite. This is generally the principle adopted,
and it leads to the fact that the RVE must include a large
number of the composite micro-heterogeneities (grains,
inclusions, voids, fibers, etc.). It must however remain small
enough to be considered as a volume element of continuum
mechanics. Several types of boundary conditions can be
prescribed on volume V to impose a given mean strain or mean
stress to the material element. As a matter of fact, the response
of the RVE must be independent of the type of boundary
conditions. Another definition of the RVE: It is the smallest
material volume element of the composite for which the usual
spatially constant (overall modulus) macroscopic constitutive

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HAYDAR SHAMKHI JABER ALSALAMI, G.KRISHNA M.RAO

representation is a sufficiently accurate model to represent
mean constitutive response. This approach uses the solution
of the homogenization for an infinite medium, and does not
consider statistical fluctuations of the effective properties over
finite domains. In contrast to the large RVE sizes expected
from the previous definitions.
Numerical techniques can help determining a critical size
of volume V and choosing among the previous conflicting
definitions. The RVE must ensure a given accuracy of the
estimated property obtained by spatial averaging of the stress,
the strain, or the energy fields in a given domain V.
Alternatively, the use of smaller volumes V must be
compensated by averaging over several realizations of the
microstructure or Nanostructure to get the same accuracy,
provided no bias is introduced in the estimation by some edge
effects generated by the boundary conditions. It will appear
that the overall moduli obtained by averaging over small
domains of composite material, using a sufficient number of
realizations for each of the studied boundary conditions, is not
the same, in general, as that obtained by a sufficiently large
RVE. Note that, in general, the size of a RVE depends on the
investigated morphological or physical property. For the same
structure, it will be shown that the RVE size differs if thermal
or elastic properties are considered. It makes sense also to
define the notion of RVE for a morphological property like
volume fraction. Again, it will appear that the corresponding
size is different from that found for a physical property[3].

type of finite elements or combinations of several types by

common nodes, so that they make the original structure. Mesh
generation is the division of the areas for the purpose of
obtaining one faster as well as qualitative solutions. This is of
big importance in large or very complex engineering tasks with
a mathematical perspective, instead of differential equation
system, which defines equilibrium state of the entire model; the
FEM use provides a common system of algebraic equations.
Move from a mathematical to physical domain, the entire
process comes down to complicated system equations. At
certain conditions the loads act only in certain points of finite
number, which are called nodes. On the basis of well-known
displacements, in nodes, determination of stresses in nodes can
be, as well as in other points of final elements. Which enabled
stress-strain analysis of structures? The basic task is to choose
the model which best approximates the appropriate boundary
conditions. In case of lack of exact criterion, which was largely
a matter of engineering and institutions, quality knowledge of
the nature of discussed problems. The theory of finite element
allows to get response to this very important question 4].

Figure2. A simplified view of Finite Element Method Stages.

IV. NANO COMPOSITE MATERIALS

Figure1. Representative Volume Element (RVE)

III. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Nano-composites are composite materials in which the matrix

material is reinforced by one or more separate Nano-materials
in order to improve performance properties. The most common
materials used as matrix in Nano-composites are polymers (e.g.
epoxy, nylon, poly-epoxide, poly-etherimide), ceramics (e.g.
alumina, glass, porcelain), and metals (e.g. iron, titanium,
magnesium). Nano materials are generally considered as the
materials that have a characteristic dimension (e.g. grain size,
diameter of cylindrical cross-section, layer thickness) smaller
than 100 nm. Nano materials can be metallic, polymeric,
ceramic, electronic, or composite. Nano materials are classified
into three categories depending on their geometry[5].

Finite Element Method is a numerical method of structural

analysis. The basic idea of this method is a physical
discretization of a continuum. This implies a dividing
accounted domain (some structures) on the finite number of
small dimensions and simple shapes, which represents the
basis for all considerations. This makes a mesh of so called
finite elements. Over discretization of a continuum, one
International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume. 02,IssueNo.08, August-2013, Pages:773-779

Modeling and Analysis of Aluminum Nanocomposite Material by Representative Volume Element - A Finite Element Approach

V. MODELING AND ANALYSIS

Study of computational modeling and simulation of the
Nanocomposites can play a significant role in the development
of superior Nanocomposites. Modeling and simulations will
help in understanding the behavior of nanostructures under
various loads and environments. At the Nanoscale, analytical
models are difficult to establish, while experiments are
expensive to conduct. A detailed study on the material
characterization of various Nanocomposites is yet to be done. It
is very important to know how material properties of
Nanocomposites such as thermal and electrical conductivity,
yield strength, thermal expansion, stress, strain, etc. are
influenced by factors like synthesis procedure, external load,
wear, friction, shock, moisture, electric and magnetic fields etc.
Finite element modeling of composite materials at the
Nanoscale using continuum mechanics approach is a
challenging task.
Figure3. Various types of Nano-scale materials.

Nanolayers

Nanotubes

Nanoparticles

VI. ALUMINUM CARBON NANOTUBE - TENSION

Metal matrix Nano-composites (MMNCs) can be defined

as MMCs which have Nano size reinforcements. Carbon
inclusions are normally used as reinforcements in MMNCs
due to their high stiffness and strength, but large Carbon
inclusions are prone to cracking which leads to premature
failure and low ductility of the composite material. Many
experimental results have shown that reducing the size of
inclusions to the Nano-scale dramatically improves the
mechanical properties of MMNCs such as tensile strength,
hardness and creep resistance while preserving good ductility,
the experimental studies have also found out that Nano-size
inclusions are highly effective in improving the strength of the
composite material even at low inclusion content.
Nevertheless, the main disadvantage of using Nano-size
inclusions in MMNCs is the tendency of these inclusions to
agglomerate into coarse clusters even at very low inclusion
content due their high specific surface area and poor
wettability[6].
Agglomeration of inclusions has detrimental effects on
the mechanical properties of MMNCs, leading to little
improvement in the mechanical properties beyond three to
four volume per cent of inclusions added. Hence, many
experimental studies have been focused on developing and
improving various methods to achieve good dispersion of
Nano-size inclusions in MMNCs. However, few have
explored the effects of microstructural features such as
inclusion size, geometry and distribution in detail. This could
be due to difficulties in manufacturing Nano-size inclusions
with a good range of sizes and controlling the processing
parameters in order to achieve sizes within that range. It could
also be difficult to control the variability in inclusion size.

Figure4. Nanotubes Representative Volume Element with

Tension Force.

Figure5. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (deformed shape along

Z-axis) TENSION.

International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research

Volume. 02,IssueNo.08, August-2013, Pages:773-779

HAYDAR SHAMKHI JABER ALSALAMI, G.KRISHNA M.RAO

Figure6. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (deformation length

of RVE) TENSION.

Figure9. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (von mises stress)

TENSION.

Figure7. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (vector deformation

iso view) TENSION.

Figure10. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes(stress length of RVE)

TENSION.

Figure11. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (shear stress along

Figure8. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (vector deformation
YZ plane) TENSION.
right view) TENSION.
International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume. 02,IssueNo.08, August-2013, Pages:773-779

Modeling and Analysis of Aluminum Nanocomposite Material by Representative Volume Element - A Finite Element Approach

Figure12. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (shear stress length

of RVE) TENSION.

Figure13. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (von mises strain)

TENSION.

Figure15. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (shear strain along

YZ plane) TENSION.

Figure16. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (shear strain length

of RVE) TENSION.

Figure17. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (stress strain)

Figure14. Aluminum Carbon Nanotubes (strain length of
TENSION.
RVE) TENSION.
International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume. 02,IssueNo.08, August-2013, Pages:773-779

HAYDAR SHAMKHI JABER ALSALAMI, G.KRISHNA M.RAO

VII. ALUMINUM CARBON NANOPARTICLES
TENSION

Figure18. Nanoparticles Representative Volume Element

with Tension Force.
VIII. ALUMINUM CARBON NANOLAYERS TENSION

Figure19: Nanolayers Representative Volume Element with

Tension Force.
IX. ALUMINUM CARBON NANOTUBE COMPRESSION

X. ALUMINUM CARBON NANOPARTICLES

COMPRESSION

Figure21. Nanoparticles Representative Volume Element with

Compression Force.
XI. ALUMINUM CARBON NANOLAYERS COMPRESSION

Figure22. Nanolayers Representative Volume Element with

Compression Force.
XII. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In this study, Aluminum alloy 8090 was successfully
simulated by representative volume element method, FEA
software was extensively employed to model suitable
Representative Volume Elements for Nanocomposite behavior,
the aim of this imitation has been carried out to investigate the
effect of the reinforcement type on the mechanical properties.
The analysis models represent the model of uniformly
distributed reinforcement in the matrix. Analysis results clearly
demonstrate the changes in the properties of Nanocomposites
depending on the type of reinforcement and the reduction of the
deformation in the matrix proportional to the change in the
shape of reinforcement. The FEM analysis of RVEs which
were modeled with different types of reinforcement having
fixed Length, width and depth showed that the relationship
between the deformation and the stress is an inverse proportion,
and the relationship between the maximum stress and
maximum strain is not uniform. It can be said that the

Figure20. Nanotubes Representative Volume Element with

Compression Force.
International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume. 02,IssueNo.08, August-2013, Pages:773-779

Modeling and Analysis of Aluminum Nanocomposite Material by Representative Volume Element - A Finite Element Approach

reinforcement type plays the key role in determining the

performance of advanced composite materials.

[5] Hurang Hua, Landon Onyebueke, Ayo Abatan,

Characterizing and Modeling Mechanical Properties of
Nanocomposites-Review and Evaluation, Journal of Minerals
& Materials Characterization & Engineering 2010.

XIII. CONCLUSIONS
A. TENSION ANALYSIS
1.

2.

3.

4.
5.

From the tension analysis it is found that the maximum

deformation is obtained from Nanolayers and minimum
deformation is for Nanotubes.
The highest value of maximum stress is obtained from
Nanotubes and lowest value of maximum stress is
obtained for Nanolayers.
Lowest value of maximum strain is obtained for
Nanoparticles and highest value of maximum strain is
obtained for Nanotubes.
The maximum shear stress has highest value for
Nanotubes and lowest value for Nanoparticles.
The maximum shear strain has highest value for
Nanotubes and lowest value for Nanoparticles.

B. COMPRESSION ANALYSIS
1.

2.

3.

4.
5.

From the compression analysis it is found that the

maximum deformation is obtained from Nanolayers and
minimum deformation is for Nanotubes.
The highest value of maximum stress is obtained from
Nanotubes and lowest value of maximum stress is
obtained for Nanolayers.
Lowest value of maximum strain is obtained for
Nanoparticles and highest value of maximum strain is
obtained for Nanotubes.
The maximum shear stress has highest value for
Nanotubes and lowest value for Nanoparticles.
The maximum shear strain has highest value for
Nanotubes and lowest value for Nanoparticles.

[6] Elliot Law, Numerical Study Of Metal Matrix

Nanocomposites Using Discrete Dislocation Approach,
National University Of Singapore 2011.
Authors Profile:
Haydar Shamkhi Jaber Alsalami,
received his Bachelor Degree in
Mechanical Engineering from
University Of Babylon, Hilla,
IRAQ. Presently he finished his
Master Of Technology in
Jwaharlal Nehru Technological,
College
of
Engineering,
Department
Of
Mechanics,
specialization in the Engineering

Design, Hyderabad, INDIA.

His research interest includes
Nano
Technology
in
Composite Materials.

XIV. REFERENCES
[1] Raghuram Basavanahalli, Finite Element Modeling Of
Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Polymer Composites and
Evaluating its Thermal Conductivities.
[2] G. B. Veeresh Kumar1, C. S. P. Rao, N. Selvaraj,
Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Particulate
Reinforced Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites.
[3] T. Kanit a, S. Forest a, I. Galliet a, V. Mounoury a, D.
Jeulin, Determination of the size of the representative volume
element for random composites: statistical and numerical
approach International Journal of Solids and Structures 2003.
[4] Dragan D. Kreculj, Stress Analysis in an Unidirectional
Carbon/Epoxy Composite Material, FME Transactions 2008.

International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research

Volume. 02,IssueNo.08, August-2013, Pages:773-779