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Topologically interlocked architectures can transform brittle ceramics into tougher materials, while making the material design procedure a cumbersome task since modeling the whole architectural design space is not efficient and, to a degree, is not viable. We propose an approach to design architectured ceramics using machine learning (ML), trained by finite element analysis data and together with a self-learning algorithm, to discover high-performance architectured ceramics in thermomechanical environments. First, topologically interlocked panels are parametrically generated. Then, a limited number of designed architectured ceramics subjected to a thermal load is studied. Finally, the multilinear perceptron is employed to train the ML model in order to predict the thermomechanical performance of architectured panels with varied interlocking angles and number of blocks. The developed feed-forward artificial neural network framework can boost the architectured ceramic design efficiency and open up new avenues for controllability of the functionality for various high-temperature applications. This study demonstrates that the architectured ceramic panels with the ML-assisted engineered patterns show improvement up to 30% in frictional energy dissipation and 7% in the sliding distance of the tiles and 80% reduction in the strain energy, leading to a higher safety factor and the structural failure delay compared to the plain ceramics.

In this paper we study a new type of interlocking brick recently proposed by the authors. The brick has a symmetrical geometry with four concavo-convex side surfaces for the interlocking purpose. Drop weight tests have been conducted to investigate the mechanical response of interlocking assembly plates by applying different levels of impact force and lateral confining load. The results show that, compared with monolithic plates, the new interlocking assembly plates have significantly improved flexural performance in terms of impact energy absorption capacity. The fracture of individual bricks during the impact always occurs along a load transmission path that is determined by the geometrical constraints of the interlocking bricks. Most importantly, the interlocking design of the plate-like assembly can effectively prevent the propagation and spread of the cracks, so that the damage to a single brick will not lead to a catastrophic failure of the entire structure. Keywords: Interlocking brick, Impact behaviour, Drop weight, Impact test

In this study, the mechanical responses of an assembly plate made of topologically interlocking concrete bricks with rubber as soft interfaces are investigated. The principle of topological interlocking is combined with the concept of hybrid material design. A series of quasi-static tests are conducted to compare the mechanical behaviour of the hybrid interlocking assembly plate with those obtained from the monolithic plate and the interlocking assembly plate without soft interfaces. The results show that the hybrid assembly plate has a remarkable flexural compliance with less damage in the bricks compared to the other two. The effect of lateral confining load on the structural behaviour of the hybrid interlocking assembly plate is also investigated. In addition, a 3D numerical model is established to predict the overall behaviour, failure mode and the damage distributions of the hybrid assembly plate. Then the hybrid assembly plate under various lateral confining loads and with different friction factors between rubber and bricks is studied numerically. It is found that, although the maximum transverse force is influenced by the initial confining load and the friction factor, the mechanical behaviour of the hybrid structure is consistent in large deformation. Keywords: Topologically interlocking brick, Hybrid structure, Soft interface, Finite element modelling

Modern construction technologies are in high demand of new highly customizable and easy-to-assemble structural materials with enhanced mechanical performance and the capability to self-repair autonomously. This article describes the simple and cost-effective manufacturing of Self-Healing Elastomeric/Cementitious/Mechanical Adhesive Structures (SECMAS). SECMAS are comprised of cementitious bricks joined by mechanical adhesive interfaces and organized in nacre-inspired, brick-and-mortar structures. This scalable staggered design provides SECMAS with the capability to concentrate the formation and propagation of cracks along the mechanical adhesive interfaces, which efficiently distribute loading forces and accommodate deformation. The periodic distribution of elastomeric reinforcing layers inside the SECMAS facilitates its elastic self-recovery after severe deformation, restoring the interlocking of the mechanical adhesive interfaces and enabling SECMAS to autonomously recover their original mechanical properties at room temperature. Moreover, the rapid recovery of the mechanical adhesive interfaces enables repeated self-healing under cycling bidirectional loading forces. The modular structure of SECMAS and their easy-to-assemble and easy-to-disassemble mechanical adhesive interfaces facilitates the rapid exchange of damaged components for new ones, enlarging service life. Furthermore, the simple and scalable design rules derived for the construction of SECMAS facilitate their rapid reconfiguration into a variety of self-repairing structural elements, promoting sustainable construction.

Dense architectured materials are made of blocks that can slide, rotate, interlock and jam in powerful mechanisms that can generate simultaneous strength and toughness. Nature abounds of examples of such architectured materials, for example in the segmented structure of vertebrate spines. In this study we consider segmented beams made of stiff blocks and submitted to a transverse force. We start with simple cubes as a geometrical reference, which we then enrich by using two-dimensional polynomial functions. The flexural response of the beam is simulated using finite element modeling (FE-model) to predict strength, toughness and maximum local stresses. Using this procedure we identified the most efficient interface geometries and interlocking mechanisms within a set of polynomial functions and for a given strength of the individual blocks. To illustrate these results, we fabricated segmented beams of ceramic glass using a laser engraver. Experiments on these architectured glass revealed how enriched blocks turned the catastrophic brittle failure of monolithic glass into graceful progressive deformation. Resulting in a tougher response than the monolithic by 370 times and preserved 40% of strength of that of the monolithic. ⁎Corresponding author.

This study elucidates the relationship between the wear performance of a clad layer and the bonding strength of interface between the reinforcing phase and the matrix. A simple mathematical model is proposed to elucidate the differences among the wear performance of various clad layers with different reinforcing particles. Analytical results indicate that, at the beginning of the run-in process, the wear resistance of a clad layer depends on the strength of the matrix, the hardness and geometric characteristics of the reinforcing phases and the bonding strength of the interface between the matrix and the reinforcing phase. In some special cases, this simple mathematical model can be used to estimate the critical bonding strength of an interface between reinforcement and matrix for wear performance. According to the analysis, the reinforcing phase has complex geometric characteristics that enhance mechanical interlocking. More complicated shape of reinforcement can prevent the reinforcing phase from being pulled out and enhance the wear performance of the clad layer. Moreover, wear tests of TiC-W and WC-Ti clad specimens are used to verify the qualitative correctness of the model.