Mechanics of re-damage and re-healing in continuum damage and healing mechanics of materials

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2026

Abstract

This work presents a unified thermodynamic framework that incorporates primary and secondary damage and healing variables, enabling the modeling of re-damage and re-healing under cyclic loading. The damage is characterized by the reduction in stiffness of the material and other material properties. A new secondary damage variable is introduced that may account for re-damage of the healed material. This addresses damage and healing after the initial or subsequent damage/healing occurred. It is a consequence of reloading the material or structure. This is then followed by the introduction of a new secondary healing variable that may account for the re-healing of the damaged material. This process may continue indefinitely in a continuous manner. These ideas and new concepts are explored here based on sound mathematical and thermodynamic treatment. It should be noted that the idea of re-damage of the healed material has appeared previously in the literature, but here it is afforded a consistent and systematic mathematical treatment. This allows for the proper physical interpretation that accounts for damage/healing occurring in subsequent unloading/reloading sequences. Both the scalar and tensorial formulations are presented. Finally, as an example, the problem of plane stress, plane damage, and plane healing is illustrated in detail. Two application examples from the aerospace industry are illustrated. Comparisons with experimental observations with two different materials are also shown. In the two materials investigated, plastic deformation is involved and is accounted for in the model as well as in the thermodynamics section.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

International Journal of Engineering Science

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