(Dr. Yves Berthelot, advisor)

"Finite Element Modeling of the Elastic Properties of Synthetic Isotropic and Anisotropic Foams"

Abstract

Synthetic foams are used as absorbing materials in some vibroacoustic applications. In particular, this research concerns viscoelasic materials filled with glass-coated, air-filled, micro-inclusions. Although some analytical methods are available to model these complex materials, some additional insight can be gained by modeling the micromechanical interactions around the inclusions with finite element modeling.
In this thesis, ABAQUS is used to model the composite material, particularly at the interface between the viscoelastic material and the inclusion where shear deformation is important. Results for the effective moduli (Young modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson ratio) are compared with analytical predictions and data available in the literature for the case where the inclusions are spherical. The finite element model is then used to study the case of non-spherical scatterers and subsequent anisotropy.