The paper aims to investigate the suitability of a 3D discrete element method to simulate the thermal-induced damage in composite materials using a cohesive beam model. First, we aim to predict the elastic behavior of continuous material in the case of a homogeneous medium. For that purpose, mechanical tests are performed on a representative pattern and some properties of continuous materials are discussed. Then, we investigate a model of thermal expansion in the context of a homogeneous material to simulate its thermoelastic behavior. The case of a single-inclusion composite is also discussed and some comparisons are done with the finite element method (FEM) and analytical formulations. Damage effects and interfacial debonding are taken into account in order to model the thermal-induced damage due to the thermal expansion mismatch. Finally, a similar study is applied in the context of multi-inclusion composite. From a quantitative standpoint, discrete element results in terms of coefficient of thermal expansion and stress and strain fields are in good agreement with the predictions given by FEM and analytical formulations. Besides, from a qualitative standpoint, the present work exhibits suitable damage modes in accordance with thermal conditions.

中文翻译：

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3D离散元方法对热膨胀失配引起的复合材料损伤建模的适用性

本文旨在研究3D离散元方法是否适合使用内聚梁模型模拟复合材料中的热诱导损伤。首先，我们旨在预测在均质介质情况下连续材料的弹性行为。为此，对代表性的图案进行了机械测试，并讨论了连续材料的一些特性。然后，我们研究了均质材料环境下的热膨胀模型，以模拟其热弹性行为。还讨论了单夹杂复合材料的情况，并使用有限元方法（FEM）和分析公式进行了一些比较。为了模拟由于热膨胀失配而引起的热损伤，需要考虑损伤效应和界面剥离。最后，在多夹杂物组合的背景下也进行了类似的研究。从定量的角度来看，以热膨胀系数，应力和应变场为单位的离散元素结果与有限元法和分析公式给出的预测非常吻合。此外，从定性的角度来看，本发明根据热条件展现出合适的破坏模式。