Explicit fracture modelling of cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co) at the mesoscale
Explicit fracture modelling of cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co) at the mesoscale
Using Y-Geo software, the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) has been used for the first time to simulate fracture explicitly of cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co). Although originally designed for geomechanical applications, this study has investigated the use of this numerical approach to model WC-Co material at the mesoscale. The composite material is modelled as a heterogeneous structure using fundamental mechanical properties of the respective phases. A series of simulations are validated against both analytical solutions and experimental observations; these cover both elastic and fracture behaviour of the model. Results show good agreement with both analytical stress distribution solutions and experimental fracture path results. For the first time the discrete fracture process, which has previously been described from experimental images, has been replicated by simulation. The study shows the potential of using the finite-discrete element method as a tool for studying fracture of WC Co, although the paper also highlights areas of understanding that needs to be improved to achieve a robust model. Ultimately by being able to model fracture behaviour accurately, this would enable a systematic study of microstructural variables in isolation to optimise composition to improve fracture toughness, something which is difficult to do experimentally.
finite element analysis, finite-discrete element method, fracture mechanics, modelling, ceramics, grains and interfaces
373-379
Herd, Stephen
1801cfb5-ca4b-414c-97a8-4d2634932fbb
Wood, Robert
d9523d31-41a8-459a-8831-70e29ffe8a73
Wharton, Julian
965a38fd-d2bc-4a19-a08c-2d4e036aa96b
Higgs III, C F
0ffb214f-e77d-448a-bac3-da4afb5f657e
17 January 2018
Herd, Stephen
1801cfb5-ca4b-414c-97a8-4d2634932fbb
Wood, Robert
d9523d31-41a8-459a-8831-70e29ffe8a73
Wharton, Julian
965a38fd-d2bc-4a19-a08c-2d4e036aa96b
Higgs III, C F
0ffb214f-e77d-448a-bac3-da4afb5f657e
Herd, Stephen, Wood, Robert, Wharton, Julian and Higgs III, C F
(2018)
Explicit fracture modelling of cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co) at the mesoscale.
Materials Science and Engineering: A, 712, .
(doi:10.1016/j.msea.2017.11.109).
Abstract
Using Y-Geo software, the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) has been used for the first time to simulate fracture explicitly of cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co). Although originally designed for geomechanical applications, this study has investigated the use of this numerical approach to model WC-Co material at the mesoscale. The composite material is modelled as a heterogeneous structure using fundamental mechanical properties of the respective phases. A series of simulations are validated against both analytical solutions and experimental observations; these cover both elastic and fracture behaviour of the model. Results show good agreement with both analytical stress distribution solutions and experimental fracture path results. For the first time the discrete fracture process, which has previously been described from experimental images, has been replicated by simulation. The study shows the potential of using the finite-discrete element method as a tool for studying fracture of WC Co, although the paper also highlights areas of understanding that needs to be improved to achieve a robust model. Ultimately by being able to model fracture behaviour accurately, this would enable a systematic study of microstructural variables in isolation to optimise composition to improve fracture toughness, something which is difficult to do experimentally.
Other Explicit fracture modelling of WC-Co at the mesoscale RevB
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Restricted to Repository staff only until 5 December 2018.
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Accepted/In Press date: 26 November 2017
e-pub ahead of print date: 15 December 2017
Published date: 17 January 2018
Additional Information:
Dataset ID: 82c0de8a-30b1-4467-8688-e2ffb3654ad4;
EPSRC grant reference: EP/J001023/1
Keywords:
finite element analysis, finite-discrete element method, fracture mechanics, modelling, ceramics, grains and interfaces
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 416105
URI: https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/416105
ISSN: 0921-5093
PURE UUID: c2f4c64e-c653-4109-9a80-6e03004db24d
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Date deposited: 04 Dec 2017 17:30
Last modified: 02 Mar 2018 19:40
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Author:
C F Higgs III
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