Bridging the Length Scales: Micromechanics of Granular Media

Aristotle's statement that the whole is more than the sum of its parts aptly describes the essence of a granular material's rich and complex behaviour, which ultimately arises from internal mechanisms developed on many length scales. Recently, non-invasive experimental studies have given remarkable insight into the evolution of these mechanisms, thereby providing benchmarks and a unique opportunity for the theoretical modelling of these systems. This paper focuses on the challenges of capturing these multiscale mechanisms within the framework of continuum theory. In particular, a new approach toward developing a non-local micropolar constitutive model of granular media using micromechanics and internal variable theory is discussed. To demonstrate the predictive potential of these models, we present their application in the analysis of two fundamental problems to the mechanics of granular media: (i) formation and evolution of shear bands (the precursors of material failure), (ii) the classical Flamant problem. Finally, we briefly discuss the computational challenges in bridging the gap between micromechanical studies of granular media and the applications of continuum theory on the macro-scale via a finite element analysis of the flat punch problem. In practice, this problem is used to assess the load bearing capacity of a material and is fundamental to civil and structural engineering.     

Generalized thermoelasticity of beams under partial thermal shock

In this paper, the generalized thermoelastic response of a beam subjected to a partial lateral thermal shock is analysed. The beam is made of homogeneous and isotropic material and is assumed to follow the Hooke law for its constitutive material. The displacement gradient is small and the linear form of strain-displacement relations is used for the beam. The equations of motion and the boundary conditions of the beam are derived based on Hamilton’s principle. According to the first and second laws of thermodynamics, a non-Fourier constitutive equation is employed to derive the energy equation of the beam. The non-Fourier effects lead to the constitutive equation of the hyperbolic type and thus the thermal and mechanical waves can be observed. The propagation of waves in the beam are simulated by finite element model and the wave reflections for different types of boundary conditions are studied. The relaxation time is considered as a significant parameter and results show that energy absorption of the structure and the wave propagation speed depend upon this parameter.     

Finite element methods for micropolar models of granular materials

We present a thermodynamically based finite element scheme for rate-independent materials and demonstrate its application in modelling the rheological behaviour of granular materials. Starting from the laws of thermodynamics, we have recently developed a new class of micropolar-type constitutive relations for two-dimensional densely packed granular media. This class of constitutive laws is expressed in terms of particle-scale properties, thus providing a direct link between observed macroscopic behaviour and the underlying particle–particle interactions. Here, we demonstrate how the connection to the underlying physics can be maintained and carried through to the finite element implementation phase of the modelling process via the same thermodynamical principles used to construct the constitutive laws. Notably, the study indicates that while the traditional Galerkin-FEM method admits a range of weighting functions, the proposed formulation provides an additional constraint that narrows the choice of admissible weighting functions via the second law of thermodynamics. Additionally, this paper presents insights into the finite element implementation of micropolar models deemed to be appropriate for modelling several classes of heterogeneous media (e.g. granular materials, cellular composites and biological materials). As the kinematics and kinetics of micropolar continua are enriched by the addition of rotational degrees of freedom to each material point, the equations governing boundary value problems for such materials differ from those of other continuum models both from the viewpoint of the constitutive law and the governing conservation laws. Analysis of elastoplastic deformation of micropolar continua is presented.     

Finite element methods for strongly-coupled systems of fluid-structure interaction with application to granular flow in silos

A monolithic approach to fluid-structure interactions based on the space-time finite element method is presented to investigate stress states in silos filled with granular material during discharge. The thin-walled silo-shell is discretized by continuum based, mixed-hybrid finite elements, whereas the flowing granular material is described by an enhanced viscoplastic non-Newtonian fluid model. To adapt the mesh nodes of the fluid domain to the structural deformations, a mesh-moving scheme using a pseudo-solid is applied. The level-set-method involving XFEM is used, including a 4D split algorithm for the space-time finite elements, in order to describe free surfaces. The method is applied to 3D silo discharges. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

昆虫翼拍动中受载变形的粘弹性本构模型

昆虫翼拍动受载时发生被动变形,被看作为有助于改善飞行性能的机制之一．决定这种被动变形大小的一个关键因素是昆虫翼的材料本构关系,至今缺乏研究．基于蜻蜓翼(离体)的应力松弛实验和模型翼拍动时受载变形的有限元数值分析,揭示了粘弹性本构关系是昆虫翼材料性能的合理描述,并研究了粘弹性参数对被动变形的影响．     

Modeling,Simulation and Parameter Identification for Rate-Dependent Magnetoactive Polymer Response

A finite deformation framework for nonlinear magneto-viscoelasticity is introduced and applied to the constitutive and structural modeling of magnetoactive polymer (MAP) response. In this thermodynamically-consistent formulation the free energy function consists of purely elastic, purely magnetic and coupling contributions, where the rate-dependence is fully attributed to the non-magnetizable matrix material. The model consistently accounts for saturation in the magnetic as well as the magnetostrictive behavior. The identification of material parameters from experimental data is briefly described. Finally, a finite element model for the large strain magneto-mechanical problem is established and tested considering MAP behavior. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Finite thermo-viscoplasticity of amorphous glassy polymers: Experiments,modeling and simulations

The contribution is concerned with experimental procedures, constitutive modeling and the numerical simulations of finite thermo-viscoplastic behavior of glassy polymers. The experimental study involves both homogeneous and inhomogeneous tests at different temperatures under isothermal conditions. The true stress-true strain curves obtained from compressive homogeneous uniaxial and plane strain experiments are employed in the identification of adjustable material parameters. In contrast to the existing kinematic approaches to finite plasticity of glassy polymers, we propose a distinct kinematic framework constructed in the logarithmic strain space. This leads us to an algorithmically very attractive, additive kinematic structure in R⁶ similar to the geometrically linear theory. The proposed three-dimensional model is implemented into a finite element code. The load-displacement curves acquired from inhomogeneous experiments are compared against the results obtained from finite element analyses where the material parameters identified from homogeneous experiments are used. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Numerical Prediction of Macroscopic Material Failure

The aim of this contribution is the numerical determination of macroscopic material properties based on constitutive relationships characterising the microscale. A macroscopic failure criterion is computed using a three dimensional finite element formulation. The proposed finite element model implements the Strong Discontinuity Approach (SDA) in order to include the localised, fully nonlinear kinematics associated with the failure on the microscale. This numerical application exploits further the Enhanced–Assumed–Strain (EAS) concept to decompose additively the deformation gradient into a conforming part corresponding to a smooth deformation mapping and an enhanced part reflecting the final failure kinematics of the microscale. This finite element formulation is then used for the modelling of the microscale and for the discretisation of a representative volume element (RVE). The macroscopic material behaviour results from numerical computations of the RVE. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Estimation of temperature in rubber-like materials using non-linear finite element analysis based on strain history

A finite element procedure for hyper-elastic materials such as rubber has been developed to estimate the temperature rise during cyclic loading. The irreversible mechanical work developed in rubber has been used to determine the heat generation rate for carrying out thermal analysis. The evaluation of the heat energy is dependent on the strains. The finite element analysis assumes Green–Lagrangian strain displacement relations, Mooney–Rivlin strain energy density function for constitutive relationship, incremental equilibrium equations, and Total Lagrangian approach and the stress and strain of the rubber-like materials are evaluated using a degenerated shell element with assumed strain field technique, considering both material and geometric non-linearities. A transient heat conduction analysis has been carried out to estimate the temperature rise for different time steps in rubber-like materials using Galerkin's formulations. A numerical example is presented and the computed temperature values for various load steps agree closely with the experimental results reported in the literature.     

An internal-variable theory of thermo-viscoelastic constitutive relations at finite strain

Based on the nonequilibrium thermodynamic theory, a new thermo-viscoelastic relation at finite strain is proposed. Under the assumption that the specific heat at a fixed strain and fixed internal variables can be regarded as a constant, a new expression for the free energy which decouples the mechanical and the thermal effects is derived. Through an analysis of the mesoscopic deformation mechanism of solid polymers, a set of internal variables is introduced, and an internal-variable constitutive theory in thermo-viscoelasticity at finite strain is formulated. An explicit expression of a thermoviscoelastic constitutive relation is obtained for solid polymers in the case where their molecular network has a randomly oriented distribution function at reference configuration. Moreover, the relationship between the relaxation time and the temperature is also discussed. The viscoelastic constitutive theory proposed in reference is only a linear approximation of the present theory.     

Coupled model of hygro-thermal behavior of concrete during fire

We present a nonlinear mathematical model for numerical analysis of the behavior of concrete subject to transient heating according to the standard ISO fire curve. The mathematical model consists of the balance equations (conservations laws) with boundary and initial conditions, constitutive laws and material data for concrete at high temperatures. The numerical algorithm based on finite element method for the numerical solution of the energy equation and finite difference method for the mass balance equations is presented. Distributions of temperature, saturation of water and water vapor pressure are demonstrated.     

Application of a viscoplastic material model on a combined quasi-static-electromagnetic forming process

The prediction and simulation of material behavior by finite element methods has become indispensable. Furthermore, various phenomena in forming processes lead to highly differing results. In this work, we have investigated the process chain on a cross-shaped cup in cooperation between the Institute of Applied Mechanics (IFAM) of the RWTH Aachen and the Institute of Forming Technology and Lightweight Construction (IUL) of the TU Dortmund. A viscoplastic material model based on the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient in the context of hyperelasticity has been used [1,2]. The finite strain constitutive model combines nonlinear kinematic and isotropic hardening and is derived in a thermodynamically consistent setting. This anisotropic viscoplastic model is based on the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient in the context of hyperelasticity. The kinematic hardening component represents a continuum extension of the classical rheological model of Armstrong-Frederick kinematic hardening. The constitutive equations of the material model are integrated in an explicit manner and implemented as a user material subroutine in the commercial finite element package LS-DYNA with the electromagnetical module. The aim of the work is to show the increasing formability of the sheet by combining quasi-static deep drawing processes with high speed electromagnetic forming. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Nonlinear,finite deformation,finite element analysis

The roles of the consistent Jacobian matrix and the material tangent moduli, which are used in nonlinear incremental finite deformation mechanics problems solved using the finite element method, are emphasized in this paper, and demonstrated using the commercial software ABAQUS standard. In doing so, the necessity for correctly employing user material subroutines to solve nonlinear problems involving large deformation and/or large rotation is clarified. Starting with the rate form of the principle of virtual work, the derivations of the material tangent moduli, the consistent Jacobian matrix, the stress/strain measures, and the objective stress rates are discussed and clarified. The difference between the consistent Jacobian matrix (which, in the ABAQUS UMAT user material subroutine is referred to as DDSDDE) and the material tangent moduli (C^e) needed for the stress update is pointed out and emphasized in this paper. While the former is derived based on the Jaumann rate of the Kirchhoff stress, the latter is derived using the Jaumann rate of the Cauchy stress. Understanding the difference between these two objective stress rates is crucial for correctly implementing a constitutive model, especially a rate form constitutive relation, and for ensuring fast convergence. Specifically, the implementation requires the stresses to be updated correctly. For this, the strains must be computed directly from the deformation gradient and corresponding strain measure (for a total form model). Alternatively, the material tangent moduli derived from the corresponding Jaumann rate of the Cauchy stress of the constitutive relation (for a rate form model) should be used. Given that this requirement is satisfied, the consistent Jacobian matrix only influences the rate of convergence. Its derivation should be based on the Jaumann rate of the Kirchhoff stress to ensure fast convergence; however, the use of a different objective stress rate may also be possible. The error associated with energy conservation and work-conjugacy due to the use of the Jaumann objective stress rate in ABAQUS nonlinear incremental analysis is viewed as a consequence of the implementation of a constitutive model that violates these requirements.     

Automatic energy–momentum conserving time integrators for hyperelastic waves

An energy–momentum conserving time integrator coupled with an automatic finite element algorithm is developed to study longitudinal wave propagation in hyperelastic layers. The Murnaghan strain energy function is used to model material nonlinearity and full geometric nonlinearity is considered. An automatic assembly algorithm using algorithmic differentiation is developed within a discrete Hamiltonian framework to directly formulate the finite element matrices without recourse to an explicit derivation of their algebraic form or the governing equations. The algorithm is illustrated with applications to longitudinal wave propagation in a thin hyperelastic layer modeled with a two-mode kinematic model. Solution obtained using a standard nonlinear finite element model with Newmark time stepping is provided for comparison.     

考虑损伤的修正梯度弹性理论

梯度弹性理论在描述材料微结构起主导作用的力学行为时具有显著优势,将其与损伤理论相结合,可在材料破坏研究中考虑微结构的影响.基于修正梯度弹性理论,将应变张量、应变梯度张量和损伤变量作为Helmholtz自由能函数的状态变量,并在自然状态附近对自由能函数作Taylor展开,进而由热力学基本定律,推导出修正梯度弹性损伤理论本构方程的一般形式.编制有限元程序,模拟土样损伤局部化带的发展演化过程.结果表明,修正梯度弹性损伤理论消除了网格依赖性;损伤局部化带不是与损伤同时发生,而是在损伤发展到一定程度后再逐渐显现出来.     

A finite element method for granular flow through a frictional boundary

A finite element method for the flow of dry granular solids through a domain involving a frictional contact boundary is formulated. The granular material is assumed as a compressible viscous-elastic–plastic continuum. Based on the principles of continuum mechanics, a complete set of equations is developed. The resulting boundary value problem is solved by the finite element method in space and by the finite difference method in time. The derivation of the finite element equations and the mathematical framework of the numerical technique are presented, together with two illustrative examples to demonstrate the validity of the technique.     

Microstructural behaviour of transversal isotropic material

We discuss and simulate transversal isotropic material under tension loading. The preferential direction of the material is inclined under 45 degrees to the direction of the tensile resultant. In this configuration the deformation of a rectangular test specimen differ from the behaviour of isotropic material in the way, that beside Poissons effect additional displacement appear perpendicular to the tension direction. In classical continuum theories, this transverse deformations describe a typical S–shape. By using a non–local continuum theory, the effect of microstructural orientation is incorporated into the numerical model. Then, it depends on a phenomenological parameter of inner structure whether the energetically favoured configuration is classical or contains microstructural behaviour. In the second case, the transverse deformation is not described by the typical S–shape, but with higher forms of it. A simple experimental model will show the connection between the inner structure of the material and the rotational parameters within the non–local continuum theory. It is evident, that these parameters are responsible for the non–classical behaviour and give the possibility to find energetically favoured solutions. The results of the finite–element–analyses can help to understand constitutive parameters for the non–local continuum theory and to apply it to other specimens. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)