An experimental and modelling evaluation of the deformation and fracture of quasi-brittle reticulated vitreous carbon foam

In quasibrittle materials the addition of specific microstructural features such as porosity can lead to departure from linear elastic behaviour prior to maximum force, followed by graceful failure. A simple but extreme example is reticulated vitreous carbon foam, with its opencell structure of brittle ligaments connected in a threedimensional...

Towards understanding the influence of porosity on mechanical and fracture behaviour of quasi-brittle materials: Experiments and modelling

In this work, porosity-property relationships of quasi-brittle materials are explored through a combined experimental and numerical approach. In the experimental part, hemihyrate gypsum plaster powder (CaSO 4 ⋅1/2H 2 O CaSO4⋅1/2H2O) and expanded spherical polystyrene beads (1.5–2.0 mm dia.) have been mixed to form a model material with...

Modelling deformation and fracture of Gilsocarbon graphite subject to service environments

Commercial graphites are used for a wide range of applications. For example, Gilsocarbon graphite is used within the reactor core of advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs, UK) as a moderator. In service, the mechanical properties of the graphite are changed as a result of neutron irradiation induced defects and porosity arising from radiolytic...

Modelling of deformation and fracture for a model quasi-brittle material with controlled porosity: Synthetic versus real microstructure

Deformation and fracture of materials are usually considered in terms of brittle and ductile modes. However, there is an intermediate class between these limits that is termed quasi-brittle where there is measurable inelastic deformation prior to final graceful ‘brittle’ failure. In previous work, we presented deformation and fracture data...