Nacre properties in the elastic range: Influence of matrix incompressibility

The elastic behavior of nacre as a two phase composite is modelled with help of finite elements. The study is focused on the influence of the incompressibility of the matrix on the elastic modulus of the composite. A 2D finite element model is used to simulate tension, shear and bending tests. The simulation shows that the organic phase plays an important role on the stress distribution in the composite. In particular the elastic modulus of the composite increases strongly when the matrix becomes incompressible.