Lattice modelling of the failure of particle composites

Three-phase particle composites are modelled by a beam lattice. The second, hard phase (particle) is a linear elastic material. However, to improve the representation of the lattice model, tension softening of the matrix and/or the interface between the particle and the matrix is introduced. Moreover, as each beam element in the lattice is short and deep, instead of using the Euler–Bernoulli theory, beam elements based on the Timoshenko theory are introduced to enhance accuracy. Finally, the effect of finite deformations is also investigated due to the large displacements and/or rotations likely to be involved with the evolution of the damage. Numerical results for particle composites are presented and discussed.