Composite materials are considered in a very broad sense. A matrix phase can be reinforced/weakened with continuous fibers, short fibers, particles or platelets or even more phases. The matrix materials can be thermoset polymers, thermoplastic polymers, elastomers, gels, metals, concrete etc. The reinforcements can be continuous Carbon or ceramic fibers, short glass fibers, nanoclay particles, Carbon nanotubes, iron particles, multi-phase alloys (e.g., TRIP steels) among others. The effective response thus can be mechanical, electrical, magnetic, thermal or any combination of those, e.g., magnetoactive, electroactive, thermomechanical etc.

In addition, porous or micro-cracked materials are also viewed in this MS as « composites », where the matrix phase can contain micro-cavities or micro-cracks.

The present MS invites contributions for all the above-mentioned cases with an emphasis on the micromechanical, homogenization, scale-transition or multi-scale modeling methods that could also include experiments. Non-restrictive examples are the following:

– direct finite element simulations of representative volume elements;

– methods of cells, subcells and transformation field analysis;

– asymptotic or mathematical homogenization theory;

– mean-field homogenization methods;

– linking continuum mechanics at the matrix phase level and molecular dynamics or atomistic scale simulations at the levels of nano-particles or matrix/inclusions interphases or interfaces.

– homogenization of active composite materials such as magnetoactive or electroactive polymers, piezoelectric composites etc.

Emphasis is put on the nonlinear behavior such as nonlinear elasticity, plasticity, viscoplasticity, coupled elasto-viscoelasticity-viscoplasticity, damage, fatigue, etc., at small or large deformations.