Random field modeling of the mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelets

Abstract

In this work, a random field approach is employed to model the mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) consisting of multiple graphene sheets connected with van der Waals forces. GNPs share the excellent properties of single layer graphene and can be used as reinforcements in composite materials, yet these properties are affected by the presence of random structural defects [1]. A parametric study is conducted herein, investigating the effect of defect type and density, as well as of the number of graphene layers on the mechanical properties of the GNPs, which are simulated through the Molecular Structural Mechanics (MSM) approach [2] with equivalent space frame FE models. The defect induced random spatial variation of the mechanical properties is accounted for using random fields, which are computed by employing the moving window technique [3] and computational homogenization. Useful conclusions are derived and the resulting random property fields can be used in the stochastic finite element analysis of GnP-reinforced composites.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The GREYDIENT project leading to this application has received funding from the European Unionﾒs Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 955393.

REFERENCES

[1] D. Savvas and G. Stefanou, Determination of random material properties of graphene sheets with different types of defects. Composites Part B, vol. 143, pp. 47-54, 2018.

[2] C. Li and T.W. Chou, A structural mechanics approach for the analysis of carbon nanotubes. International Journal of Solids and Structures, vol. 40, pp. 2487-2499, 2003.

[3] S. Baxter and L. Graham, Characterization of random composites using moving-window technique, Journal of Engineering Mechanics, vol. 126, no. 4, pp. 389-397, 2000.