The response of particle-reinforced composites to asymmetric dynamic loads

In the design of advanced composite materials containing particles, one important problem is the magnitude of stress concentration in the matrix around the reinforcing particles. In this article, the interaction of a reinforcing particle with the matrix is studied under an asymmetric three-dimensional dynamic loading with particular attention being focused on the stress concentration at the interface between the particle and the matrix. It is found that the dynamic stress concentrations are significantly influenced by the frequency of excitation and by the mismatch of elastic properties and densities between the particle and the matrix. Moreover, the dynamic stress concentrations can reach values up to 105% greater than the corresponding static values.