Analysis of particle-to-particle elastic interactions in syntactic foams

This work analyzes the elastic interaction between a pair of hollow particles embedded in a dissimilar medium subjected to remote uniaxial tensile loading. The Boussinesq–Papkovich stress function approach is combined with a multi-pole series expansion to derive a semi-analytical solution of the Navier–Cauchy equation and determine stress and displacement fields in the inclusions and the surrounding medium. Stress profiles, stress intensification factors, circumferential stress resultants in the particles, and strain energy storage are presented for a broad range of particle wall thicknesses, sizes, and relative inter-particle distances. Results specialized to glass–vinyl ester systems demonstrate that particle wall thicknesses and size distributions can be used to modulate the effects of particle-to-particle interaction on the overall mechanical behavior of syntactic foams.

► Particle-to-particle interactions in syntactic foams are studied.
► Uniaxial tension of an infinite matrix embedding two hollow particles is analyzed.
► Stress and energy measures are defined to characterize elastic interactions.
► A computationally tractable semi-analytical solution is developed and validated.
► Particle wall thickness, spacing, and aspect ratio affect the level of interaction.