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Estimating the elastic characteristics of natural fiber‐reinforced polymer composites such as luffa fiber reinforced with epoxy is challenging. The structure of luffa cylindrica is complex, like a three‐dimensional natural fibrous mat, netting‐like structure. The multiscale modeling of such structures is the challenge to be addressed. The prime objective of this work is to determine the specific elastic properties of luffa–cenosphere‐reinforced epoxy (LCE) composite, considering the effect of filler volume fractions. Furthermore, multiscale modeling techniques, such as representative volume elements (RVEs) of finite element techniques with chopped, unidirectional, plain, and twill weaving fiber arrangements, were employed. The longitudinal modulus, transverse modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio were predicted through these modeling approaches. However, experimental and analytical methodologies, including the rule of mixture and Halpin–Tsai, were considered to validate the finite element analysis results. The elastic characteristics of LCE composite were therefore shown to be enhanced by increasing filler volume fraction. However, the cenosphere's 20% volume fraction has the highest elastic properties as determined by analytical, experimental, and computational models. Analytical and finite element simulation results were compared with the experimental results, and based on the findings, the most suitable (unidirectional, chopped, plain, and twill weaving) RVE was identified for finite element modeling of LCE composite for the evaluation of elastic properties. Results from practical approaches and the RVE twill weaving model showed good agreement, with less than 1% error, compared to the other analytical and finite element methods. Highlights: NFCs are gaining ground in polymer composites.Overcoming challenges in modeling of luffa fiber inside epoxy matrix.The study uses multiscale modeling with diverse fiber arrangements.Experimental and analytical methods used to confirm FEA results.Increased cenosphere volume fraction boosts LCE composite properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research investigates optimizing the impact resistance of functionally graded sandwich structures using experimental and numerical approaches. The low-velocity impact (LVI) responses of functionally graded sandwich composite (FGSC) with different configurations with skin material jute/rubber/jute (JRJ) and core material having epoxy and sea sand by volume fraction of sea sand at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Sandwich structures were impacted with LVI (5.89, 10.92, and 15.18 m/s), with the impactor dropped from heights of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 m with precompressed spring loads. FGSC samples are considered a deformable body, and the impactor is modeled as a rigid body using commercially accessible dynamic explicit software. The burnout test and weight method were used to test the core's gradience; both methods' results substantially matched, and the variance in gradation could be observed. The proposed sandwich structure characteristics are examined by energy absorption, peak force, energy loss percentage, and coefficient of restitution. Results showed that SC30S provides greater energy absorption and superior damage resistance when tested on LVI. To evaluate the accuracy of experimental findings in predicting the indentation behavior of the sandwich structure, the finite element analysis was used to compare with the experimental results. According to the examination of these proposed FGSC overall performance, they could potentially be employed as sacrificial materials for LVI applications like claddings to shield major structural components. The systematic approach used in this work serves as a standard for choosing and using FGSC effectively for LVI applications. Highlights • Low-velocity impact behavior of sandwich structures was investigated. • Combining flexible skin and epoxy core enhances energy absorption. • Based on impact energy levels, impact damage areas were determined. • Examined sandwich structure advantages in structural and aerospace uses. • In terms of time and cost, the numerical analysis method would be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the influence of magnetorheological (MR) fluid pocket configuration and magnetic field intensity on the dynamic response of the composite sandwich beam under various boundary conditions. The classical beam theory is used to develop the finite element (FE) formulations for the composite sandwich beam element and it is validated with the available literature. Four MR fluid pocket configuration types are considered. The configuration types include 1/4th, 1/2th, 3/4th and the full length of the MR fluid pockets at different locations. Further, a detailed study of the influence of each MR fluid pocket configuration type on the natural frequency, loss factor, and frequency response are presented. The maximum 32.27% of deviation in the first fundamental frequency is observed for the simply-supported boundary condition. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the length and location of the MR fluid pocket have a considerable impact on the dynamic response and also observed that the effect of the configuration depends on the type of boundary condition used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study attempts to evaluate the low-velocity impact (LVI) behavior of jute and banana fiber-based hybrid and non hybrid green composites. The proposed composites are fabricated using compression moulding method with variety of positioning of layers namely jute-rubber-jute-rubber-jute (JRJRJ), banana-rubber-banana-rubber-banana (BRBRB), jute-rubber-banana-rubber-jute (JRBRJ) and banana-rubber-jute-rubber-banana (BRJRB). Thus developed composites are subjected to LVI testing using conical and hemispherical shaped impactor in drop weight impact testing machine and different impact velocities of 5 m/s, 10 m/s and 15 m/s. Based on the ability of the proposed composites to absorb energy, coefficient of restitution (CoR), energy loss percentage (ELP), and failure behaviour, the suggested flexible composites' performances are assessed. The study reveals that JRJRJ composite exhibits better energy absorption capability and BRBRB exhibits least energy absorption capability compared to its counterparts. The damage study reveals that hemispherical impactor leads to more damage area due to its larger contact area whereas, conical impactor results in local penetration. Results reveals that inclusion of jute fiber as reinforcement results in better LVI properties compared to banana fiber. It is also clear that the presence of a compliant matrix improves energy absorption and damage resistance in flexible composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]