Multiscale modelling of crazing in glassy polymers under cyclic loading

Crazing is the primary damage mechanism in amorphous thermoplastics, enabling load transfer and enhancing fracture toughness. This dissertation develops a multiscale model for crazing, combining molecular dynamics and continuum micromechanics to elucidate its response and its interaction with the adjacent bulk material under cyclic loading. The finite element simulations successfully reproduce important craze, shear band and failure characteristics reported in the experimental literature.