Transformation Field Analysis of Composite Materials

This chapter discusses applications to inelastic deformation and damage evolution in composites. The transformation field analysis (TFA) method evaluates averages of local and overall strain and stress fields caused in elastic heterogeneous solids, such as composite materials, laminates, and polycrystals, by piecewise uniform distributions of transformation strains or eigenstrains; these is caused by thermal changes, phase transformations, moisture absorption, or inelastic deformation. Also, equivalent eigenstrains applied in modeling of local cracks, voids, and other damage modes can be included in the analysis. Moreover, the method provides a system of differential equations describing evolution of the local transformation fields under varying overall loads, according to local constitutive relations prescribed in the constituents. The chapter discusses applications to inelastic deformation and damage evolution in composites.