Numerical Simulation of Dynamic Response of Fiber Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composite Beam with Matrix Cracks Using Multiscale Modeling

A multiscale method for simulating the dynamic response of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) with matrix cracks is developed. At the global level, the finite element method is employed to simulate the dynamic response of a CMC beam. While at the local level, the multiscale mechanical method is used to estimate the stress/strain response of the material. A distributed computing system is developed to speed up the simulation. The simulation of dynamic response of a Nicalon/CAS-II beam being subjected to harmonic loading is performed as a numerical example. The results show that both the stress/strain responses under tension and compressive loading are nonlinear. These conditions result in a different response compared with that of elastic beam, such as: 1) the displacement response is not symmetric about the axis of time; 2) in the condition of small external load, the response at first order natural frequency is limited within a finite range; 3) decreasing the matrix crack space will increase the displacement response of the beam.