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Abstract

This paper addresses some applications of the fast multipole boundary element method on the simulation of CNT composites, including the simulation of elastic, thermal and electric properties. The carbon nanotubes are treated as effective elastic fibers for the simulation of elastic property, and treated as straight fibers with high thermal conductivity and high electric conductivity for the simulation of thermal and electric properties respectively. The numerical examples are compared with other numerical results and experimental data published in literature. To reduce the difference between numerical and experimental value of effective elastic modulus, two approaches with nonideal interfacial condition or additional interfacial layer have been introduced. Numerical tests clearly demonstrate the potential of the FM-BEM for large scale simulation of CNT composites.

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