2.1.6. Particle

Particle reinforced composites consist of spherical particles regularly arranged in a matrix material.

Figure 2.9: Particle Geometry Options

Particle Geometry Options

The following options can be defined:

  • Geometry Type: Control the spheres arrangement within the matrix.

    • Simple Cubic: A cubic unit cell with a sphere in the center (maximum volume fraction of about 52%).

    • Body Centered Cubic: A cubic unit cell with spheres at all the corners and a sphere in the center (maximum volume fraction of about 68%).

    • Face Centered Cubic: A cubic unit cell with spheres at all the corners and at the centers of each face (maximum volume fraction of about 74%).

  • Particle Volume Fraction: The fraction of space within the RVE that the particles occupy.

  • Particle Diameter: The diameter of the individual particles in the active unit system.

  • Hollow Particles: Generate hollow rather than solid particles.

    • Particle Wall Thickness: Wall thickness of hollow particles in the active unit system. This value has to be smaller than the radius of the particle.

  • Repeat Count: The number of times that the unit cell is repeated in each coordinate direction.