Construction of Statistically Similar RVEs for 3D Microstructures

This contribution presents a method to construct three-dimensional Statistically Similar RVEs (SSRVEs) for the simulation of dual phase steel (DP steel). Since the microstructure of DP steel strongly influences the overall material properties, it should be incorporated in numerical calculations. For this purpose the FE² method can be applied and for an efficient computation SSRVEs with a reduced complexity compared to the real microstructure have to be defined, which still represent the mechanical response of the material accurately. The construction method is based on the minimization of a least-square functional considering suitable statistical measures describing the inclusion morphology of a given real microstructure. The mechanical response of the SSRVEs is compared to the response of the real microstructure in virtual mechanical tests. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Study on statistically similar RVEs for real microstructures based on different statistical descriptors

A method for constructing statistically similar representative volume elements (SSRVEs) for a real dual-phase (DP) steel microstructure is presented in this contribution. The advantageous material properties of such kind of steels originate from the interaction of the microstructure constituents of the material on the microscale. In order to capture these effects directly in the material modeling, the FE² method is a suitable tool, where an RVE representing the microstructure of a material is used in the microscopic boundary value problem, which is solved at each Gauss-point of the macroscopic boundary value problem. However, RVEs based on real microstructures typically implicate high computational expenses due to the complexity of the underlying microstructure and its discretization. SSRVEs, which have a lower complexity than conventional RVEs but are still able to represent the material, can be used instead. Here, different statistical measures for the construction of SSRVEs and their comparison are the main focus. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On the Construction of Statistically Similar Representative Volume Elements Based on the Lineal-Path Function

In this contribution we propose a method for the construction of statistically similar representative volume elements (SSRVEs) which are characterized by a much less complexity than usual random RVEs and which represent quite accurately the mechanical response of the real material. For the design of such SSRVEs an objective function is minimized taking into account least-square functionals based on suitable statistical measures, that characterize the inclusion morphology. Here, we find that the incorporation of the lineal-path function leads to promising results in FE²-simulations of macroscopically homogeneous boundary value problems as well as inhomogenous ones. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Comparison of Statistical Descriptors for the Construction of Statistically Similar RVEs

A method for the construction of three-dimensional statistically similar representative volume elements (SSRVEs) is presented. Since the beneficial material properties of microheterogeneous materials originate in the microstructure, its incorporation in material modeling is desired. The FE₂ method is a suitable tool to accomplish this step. Applying this method, a microscopic boundary value problem, given by a representative volume element (RVE) is attached to every integration point of the macroscale. Such RVEs taken from real microstructures exhibit a high level of complexity, thus raise computational costs. The use of a SSRVE with lower complexity is able to decrease these costs. Here, different statistical measures are compared in view of the performance in the SSRVE construction procedure. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Designing Statistically Similar RVEs for 3D Dual Phase Steel Microstructures

This contribution presents a method for the construction of three-dimensional Statistically Similar Representative Volume Elements (SSRVEs) for dual phase steels (DP steels). From such kind of advanced high strength steels, enhanced material properties are observed, which originate in the interaction of the individual constituents of the material on the microscale. Our aim is to directly incorporate the microstructure in the material modeling, which can be accomplished by applying i. e. the FE² method. A RVE representing the real material is used in the microscopic boundary value problem, which is solved at each macroscopic integration point. Since such RVEs usually exhibit a high complexity due to the underlying real microstructure, high computational costs are a drawback of the approach. We replace this RVE with a SSRVE, which has a lower complexity but which is still able to represent the mechanical behavior of the RVE and thus of the real microstructure. Virtual experiments show the performance of the method. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Some basic ideas for the reconstruction of statistically similar microstructures for multiscale simulations

In this contribution we propose a method for the generation of statistically similar representative volume elements (RVE's). These RVE's are obtained by assuming that given real microstructures may be represented by periodic ones. Then an optimization problem has to be solved where the side condition of equal spectral density of the real microstructure and the statistically similar RVE is taken into account. First numerical results show that the proposed method works in principle and leads to more efficient direct multiscale simulations. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Computational Homogenization of Piezoelectric Materials using FE2

Due to the growing interest in determining the macroscopic material response of inhomogeneous materials, computational methods are becoming increasingly concerned with the application of homogenization techniques. In this work, two-scale classical (first-order) homogenization of electro-mechanically coupled problems using a FE²-approach is discussed. We explicitly formulated the homogenized coefficients of the elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric tensors for small strain as well as the homogenized remanent strain and remanent polarization. The homogenization of the coupled problem is done using different representative volume elements (RVEs), which capture the microstructure of the inhomogeneous material, to represent the macro material response. Later this technique is used to determine the macroscopic and microscopic configurational forces on certain defects. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

FE2-Simulations in Elasto-Plasticity using Statistically Similar Representative Volume Elements

In the field of direct homogenization methods large representative volume elements (RVE's) cause a high computational cost, which is indicated by a large number of history variables allocating a large amount of memory. Additionally, a high computation time is necessary to solve the systems of equations on the micro-scale as well as on the macro-scale. In this contribution we focus on random microstructures consisting of a continuous matrix phase with a high number of embedded inclusions with arbitrary morphology. We present a method for the construction of statistically similar representative volume elements (SSRVE's) which are characterized by a much less complexity than usual RVE's in order to obtain an efficient simulation tool. The basic goal of the underlying procedure is to find a SSRVE, where some selected statistical measures describing the inclusion morphology are as close as possible to the ones of the original arbitrary microstructure. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A new and efficient approach for modeling short fiber reinforced materials within RVEs using an embedded element technique

This paper focuses on the numerical homogenization by using representative volume elements (RVE method). A new approach is presented that is capable of speeding up the modeling process and reducing the computation time of RVEs significantly. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Finite-element modeling of the particle clustering effect in a powder-metallurgy-processed ceramic-particle-reinforced metal matrix composite on its mechanical properties

A new numerical method is proposed to predict the effect of particle clustering on grain boundaries in a ceramic- particle-reinforced metal matrix composite on its mechanical properties, and micromechanical finite-element simulation of stress–strain responses in composites with random and clustered arrangements of ceramic particles are carried out. A particular material modeled and analyzed is a TiC-particle-reinforced Al matrix composite processed by powder metallurgy. A representative volume element of a composite microstructure with 5 vol.% TiC is reconstructed based on the tetrakaidecahedral grain boundary structure by using a modified random sequential adsorption. The model proposed in this study accurately represents the stress concentrations and particle-particle interactions during deformation of the powder-metallurgy-processed composite. A comparison with the random-arrangement model shows that the present numerical approach is more accurate in simulating the behavior of the composite material.     

Numerical analysis of uncertainties in the effective material behaviour of disordered structural foams

The present contribution is concerned with a numerical analysis of the uncertainties in the structural response of threedimensional structural foams with partially open cells. The effective thermo mechanical material response is determined by means of an energy based homogenization procedure. Stochastic effects in the geometry and topology of the microstructure are treated by means of a repeated analysis of small-scale representative volume elements with prescribed relative density and prescribed cell size distribution. The results are evaluated by stochastic methods. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A Regularized Sharp Interface Model for Phase Transformation Accounting for Prescribed Sharp Interface Kinetics

The macroscopic mechanical behavior of multi-phasic materials depends on the formation and evolution of their microstructure by means of phase transformation. In case of martensitic transformations, the resulting phase boundaries are sharp interfaces. We carry out a geometrically motivated discussion of the regularization of such sharp interfaces by use of an order parameter/phase-field and exploit the results for a regularized sharp interface model for two-phase elastic materials with evolving phase boundaries. To account for the dissipative effects during phase transition, we model the material as a generalized standard medium with energy storage and a dissipation function that determines the evolution of the regularized interface. Making use of the level-set equation, we are thereby able to directly translate prescribed sharp interface kinetic relations to the constitutive model in the regularized setting. We develop a suitable incremental variational three-field framework for the dissipative phase transformation problem. Finally, the modeling capability and the associated numerical solution techniques are demonstrated by means of a representative numerical example. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Modelling of a combined process of thermomechanical treatment of 304 stainless steel

Grain refinement due to phase transformation is an effective method for improving the mechanical properties of steel. An approach is proposed in the present work based on the FEM, for numerical simulation of the microstructure evolution. Grain refinement in 304 stainless steel is considered. Coupling of the thermoplastic deformation with microstructure evolution is realized. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Homogenization Approach Based on Laminates

In this work, a homogenization approach for the modeling of the material behavior of two-phase composites motivated by modeling a thin-layer-type microstructure is presented. The basic idea here is to idealize the thin-layered microstructure as a first-order laminate. In particular, a jump in deformation state across the phase interface is modeled constitutively via a rank-one connection of habit-plane type. In the material framework, the value for the jump as well as its direction remain as independent constitutive variables. However, in the case of laminates and an ideal plain interface, the direction is given and stays in a first approach constant. We assume that their values are determined by mechanical and configurational equilibrium in the two-phase composite at the interface. This yields to a set of implicit equations which lead to the corresponding response of the structure. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Aerated autoclaved concrete: Stochastic structure model and elastic properties

Aerated autoclaved concrete (AAC) is a modern and important construction material, whose elastic properties are primarily defined by its porosity. The possibility to predict elastic properties of AAC based on the voids distribution is very important. The report describes simulations of the mechanical properties of AAC, based on a stochastic-geometric model of its structure. The model is the well-known “cherry-pit” model, which presents a random system of partially overlapping spheres. In the mechanical analysis the solid phase is approximated by a network model with the help of the so-called radical tessellation with respect to the hard spheres of the “cherry-pit” model. The network edges are modelled in ANSYS as 3D beams. In this approach, the discretized elements (the edges) have in distinction to FE calculations with small polyhedral same dimension as the air voids and so the numerical costs can be drastically reduced. The FE simulations calculate the elastic constants and energy concentrations, which are responsible for the material failures, in large samples. Comparisons with fracture tests showed good matching between simulations and experiments. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Configurational forces in a multiscale approach to piezoelectric materials

Due to the growing interest in determining the macroscopic material response of inhomogeneous materials, computational methods are becoming increasingly concerned with the application of homogenization techniques. In this work, a two-scale classical homogenization of an electro-mechanically coupled material using a FE²-approach is discussed. We explicitly formulated the homogenized coefficients of the elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric tensors for small strain as well as the homogenized remanent strain and remanent polarization. In the homogenization different representative volume elements (RVEs), which capture the micro-structure of the inhomogeneous material, are used to represent the macroscopic material response. Two different schemes are considered. In the first case, domain wall movement is not allowed, but in the second case the movement of the domain walls is taken into account using thermodynamic considerations. Later this technique is used to determine the macroscopic and microscopic configurational forces on defects [2]. These defect situations include the driving force on a crack tip. The effect of the applied electric field on configurational forces at the crack tip is investigated. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

About the Microstructural Effects of Polycrystalline Materials and their Macroscopic Representation at Finite Deformation

In the sheet bulk metal forming field, the strict geometrical requirements of the workpieces result in a need of a precise prediction of the material behaviour. The simulation of such forming processes requires a valid material model, performing well for a huge variety of different geometrical characteristics and finite deformation. Because of the crystalline nature of metals, anisotropies have to be taken into account. Macroscopically observable plastic deformation is traced back to dislocations within considered slip systems in the crystals causing plastic anisotropy on the microscopic and the macroscopic level. A finite crystal plasticity model is used to model polycrystalline materials in representative volume elements (RVEs) of the microstructure. A multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into elastic and plastic parts is performed, as well as a volumetric-deviatoric split of the elastic contribution. In order to circumvent singularities stemming from the linear dependency of the slip system vectors, a viscoplastic power-law is introduced providing the evolution of the plastic slips and slip resistances. The model is validated with experimental microstructural data under deformation. The validation on the macroscopic scale is performed through the reproduction of the experimentally calculated initial yield surface. Additionally, homogenised stress-strain curves from the microstructure build the outcome for a suitable effective material model. Through optimisation techniques, effective material parameters can be determined and compared to results from real forming processes. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)