Novel implementation of homogenization method to predict effective properties of periodic materials

Representative volume element (RVE) method and asymptotic homogenization (AH) method are two widely used methods in predicting effective properties of periodic materials. This paper develops a novel implementation of the AH method, which has rigorous mathematical foundation of the AH method, and also simplicity as the RVE method. This implementation can be easily realized using commercial software as a black box, and can use all kinds of elements available in commercial software to model unit cells with rather complicated microstructures, so the model may remain a fairly small scale. Several examples were carried out to demonstrate the simplicity and effectiveness of the new implementation.     

Novel numerical implementation of asymptotic homogenization method for periodic plate structures

The present paper develops and implements finite element formulation for the asymptotic homogenization theory for periodic composite plate and shell structures, earlier developed in  and , and thus adopts this analytical method for the analysis of periodic inhomogeneous plates and shells with more complicated periodic microstructures. It provides a benchmark test platform for evaluating various methods such as representative volume approaches to calculate effective properties. Furthermore, the new numerical implementation (Cheng et al., 2013) of asymptotic homogenization method of 2D and 3D materials with periodic microstructure is shown to be directly applicable to predict effective properties of periodic plates without any complicated mathematical derivation. The new numerical implementation is based on the rigorous mathematical foundation of the asymptotic homogenization method, and also simplicity similar to the representative volume method. It can be applied easily using commercial software as a black box. Different kinds of elements and modeling techniques available in commercial software can be used to discretize the unit cell. Several numerical examples are given to demonstrate the validity of the proposed methods.     

Material sensitivity analysis in homogenization of linear elastic composites

Summary  The main goal of the paper is to present theoretical aspects and the finite element method (FEM) implementation of the sensitivity analysis in homogenization of composite materials with linear elastic components, using effective modules approach. The deterministic sensitivity analysis of effective material properties is presented in a general form for an n-components periodic composite, and is illustrated by the examples of 1D as well as of 2D heterogeneous structures. The results of the sensitivity analysis presented in the paper confirm the usefulness of the homogenization method in computational analysis of composite materials the method may be applied to computational optimization of engineering composites, to the shape-sensitivity studies and, after some probabilistic extensions, to stochastic sensitivity analysis of random composites. Received 10 November 2000; accepted for publication 24 April 2001     

Limit analysis of composite materials based on an ellipsoid yield criterion

Employing repeating unit cell (RUC) to represent the microstructure of periodic composite materials, this paper develops a numerical technique to calculate the plastic limit loads and failure modes of composites by means of homogenization technique and limit analysis in conjunction with the displacement-based finite element method. With the aid of homogenization theory, the classical kinematic limit theorem is generalized to incorporate the microstructure of composites. Using an associated flow rule, the plastic dissipation power for an ellipsoid yield criterion is expressed in terms of the kinematically admissible velocity. Based on nonlinear mathematical programming techniques, the finite element modelling of kinematic limit analysis is then developed as a nonlinear mathematical programming problem subject to only a small number of equality constraints. The objective function corresponds to the plastic dissipation power which is to be minimized and an upper bound to the limit load of a composite is then obtained. The nonlinear formulation has a very small number of constraints and requires much less computational effort than a linear formulation. An effective, direct iterative algorithm is proposed to solve the resulting nonlinear programming problem. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method have been validated by several numerical examples. The proposed method can provide theoretical foundation and serve as a powerful numerical tool for the engineering design of composite materials.     

An analytical and numerical approach for calculating effective material coefficients of piezoelectric fiber composites

The present work deals with the modeling of 1–3 periodic composites made of piezoceramic (PZT) fibers embedded in a soft non-piezoelectric matrix (polymer). We especially focus on predicting the effective coefficients of periodic transversely isotropic piezoelectric fiber composites using representative volume element method (unit cell method). In this paper the focus is on square arrangements of cylindrical fibers in the composite. Two ways for calculating the effective coefficients are presented, an analytical and a numerical approach. The analytical solution is based on the asymptotic homogenization method (AHM) and for the numerical approach the finite element method (FEM) is used. Special attention is given on definition of appropriate boundary conditions for the unit cell to ensure periodicity. With the two introduced methods the effective coefficients were calculated for different fiber volume fractions. Finally the results are compared and discussed.     

Variational asymptotic method for unit cell homogenization of periodically heterogeneous materials

A new micromechanics model, namely, the variational asymptotic method for unit cell homogenization (VAMUCH), is developed to predict the effective properties of periodically heterogeneous materials and recover the local fields. Considering the periodicity as a small parameter, we can formulate a variational statement of the unit cell through an asymptotic expansion of the energy functional. It is shown that the governing differential equations and periodic boundary conditions of mathematical homogenization theories (MHT) can be reproduced from this variational statement. In comparison to other approaches, VAMUCH does not rely on ad hoc assumptions, has the same rigor as MHT, has a straightforward numerical implementation, and can calculate the complete set of properties simultaneously without using multiple loadings. This theory is implemented using the finite element method and an engineering program, VAMUCH, is developed for micromechanical analysis of unit cells. Many examples of binary composites, fiber reinforced composites, and particle reinforced composites are used to demonstrate the application, power, and accuracy of the theory and the code of VAMUCH.     

复合材料扭转轴截面微结构拓扑优化设计

提出复合材料扭转轴截面微结构拓扑优化设计新模型，模型的优化目标是获得具有最大宏观剪切特性加权和的单胞形式．通过模型和均匀化方法及优化技术可以获得优化的微结构单胞，进而改善或者得到最优宏观弹性特性的复合材料．为了便于制造和应用，胞体材料用来获得复合材料的极值剪切模量．最后的优化结果表明，该模型连同数值处理技巧可以非常有效地实现微结构的拓扑优化设计．     

复合材料周期性线弹性微结构的拓扑优化设计

提出复合材料周期性线弹性微结构拓扑优化设计的模型，模型1设计具有极值弹性特性的复合材料，模型2设计工况最刚微结构单胞。通过该模型和均匀化技术可以获得优化的微结构单胞，进而改善或者得到最优宏观特性的复合材料。为了便于制造和应用，用胞体材料而不是多相材料来得到复合材料的极值弹性特性和最大刚度。优化结果表明，该模型与数值方法相结合可以有效地实现微结构的拓扑优化设计。     

HOMOGENIZATION—BASED TOPOLOGY DESIGN FOR PURE TORSION OF COMPOSITE SHAFTS

In conjunction with the homogenization theory and the finite element method, the mathematical models for designing the corss-section of composite shafts by maximizing the torsion rigidity are developed in this paper. To obtain the extremal torsion rigidity, both the cross-section of the macro scale shaft and the representative microstructure of the composite material are optimized using the new models. The micro scale computational model addresses the problem of finding the periodic microstructures with extreme shear moduli. The optimal microstructure obtained with the new model and the homogenization method can be used to improve and optimize natural or artificial materials. In order to be more practical for engineering applications, cellular materials rather than ranked materials are used in the optimal process in the existence of optimal bounds for the elastic properties. Moreover, the macro scale model is proposed to optimize the cross-section of the torsional shaft based on the tailared composites. The validating optimal results show that the models are very effective in obtaining composites with extreme elastic properties, and the cross-section of the composite shaft with the extremal torsion rigidity. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10172078 and 10102018)     

确定复合材料宏观屈服准则的细观力学方法

运用细观力学中的均匀化方法，分析了含周期性微结构复合材料的宏观屈服准则，并对Hill-Tsai准则进行了修正。从基于复合材料细观结构的代表性胞元入手，运用塑性极限理论中的机动分析以及有限元方法，计算了细观结构的极限载荷域。通过宏细观尺度对应关系，得到复合材料的宏观屈服准则。     

考虑内部胞元能量等效的代表体元法

具有周期性胞元的超轻质材料在制造和应用过程中,不可避免地会出现基体材料、微结构拓扑和尺寸的随机性变化.此时,评价材料的等效弹性性能需要借助基于均匀化方法(周期性边界条件)或代表体元法(周期性边界条件,均匀应力或均匀应变边界条件等)的蒙特卡洛模拟.该文首先通过算例分析和比较了不同边界条件下的数值结果,讨论了结果的尺度效应和对胞元选取的依赖性.为了提高和改善Dirichlet边界条件下的计算效率和结果,提出了一种考虑内部胞元能量等效的代表体元法.该方法能够有效削弱边界条件和胞元选取的影响,从而实现了采用较小的代表体元得到更好的结果.数值算例验证了方法在预测确定性材料和随机性材料等效模量时的有效性.     

复合材料弹塑性多尺度分析模型与算法

对材料非线性多尺度分析的计算模型与算法进行研究.在构建周期分布单胞分析算法的基础上,发展针对复合材料结构材料非线性多尺度分析的一般有限元方法.方法的特点是将所建立的单胞分析过程作为有限元分析的子程序嵌入到总程序系统当中,完成对应的高斯点应力计算,因而使所发展的方法具有实现方便的特点.给出数值计算结果,验证了方法与所发展的多尺度有限元分析程序的正确与有效性.     

Multi-level modeling of woven glass/epoxy composite for multilayer printed circuit board applications

The objective of this paper is to develop a hybrid homogenization method to predict the elastic properties of a common woven glass/epoxy composite substrate for multilayer circuit board applications. Comprehensive high resolution 3D finite element (FE) models of a quarter of the repeated unit cell (RUC) for the woven glass/epoxy composite were developed based on different micromechanical schemes. . Specifically, four different micromechanics schemes were investigated: self-consistent, Mori–Tanaka, three-phase approach and composite cylinder assemblage (CCA). The element based strain concentration matrices were determined and used to obtain the homogenized woven glass/epoxy composite properties via a specially developed MATLAB code. Attention was further devoted to the predictions of the homogenized elastic moduli of the multilayer printed circuit board (PCB). The results from our simulations, based on Mori–Tanaka and CCA, are in good agreement with existing experimental results, indicating that the newly proposed homogenization scheme can be used as a design tool to predict the overall properties of woven composite materials typically used in multilayer PCB applications.     

周期性点阵类桁架材料等效弹性性能预测及尺度效应

比较了Dirichlet型和Neumann型边界条件下的代表体元法及均匀化方法对具有周期性结构的点阵类桁架材料等效弹性性能的预测结果．数值结果表明,Dirichlet型和Neumann型边界条件下的代表体元法所得结果随着参与模拟的单胞（微结构的最小周期）个数的增加,分别从上下界逼近均匀化方法的结果．对于一类具有特殊微结构的桁架材料,只需一个单胞即可充分逼近均匀化结果．指出产牛尺度效应的判据是,对Dirichlet型边界条件下的代表体元法,单胞公共边界处的节点支反力是否平衡;对Neumann型边界条件下的代表体元法,单胞边界间变形是否协调．最后,我们证明了对于一类均匀化方法求解中没有广义自由度的桁架材料,其均匀化结果就是各构件性能按照体积份数加权平均得到．     

多相材料微结构多目标拓扑优化设计

在采用多尺度均匀化方法求解微结构等效特性的基础上，提出了多相材料 微结构的多目标优化设计模型. 以组分材料用量为约束，采用周长控制消除棋盘格，结合有 限元方法和对偶凸规划求解技术，对两相和三相材料微结构多项等效模量的组合进行了优化 设计. 研究比较了微结构网格粗细、材料组分以及三相材料微结构优化中的两相实体材料弹 性模量相对比例不同对优化结果的影响. 数值算例验证了优化模型和优化算法的有效性，表 明了相关因素对优化结果的影响.     

一种计算复合材料等效弹性性能的有限元方法

在最小二乘意义下提出了一种计算复合材料等效弹性性能的有限元方法.这种方法由于考虑了等效弹性张量各分量之间的耦合关系,所求得的等效弹性常数比传统方法更可靠,可适用于求解含任意形状的夹杂和夹杂物问题.通过算例计算了在不同弹性模量对比度下两相复合材料的等效弹性性能,并与相关的理论及数值结果进行了比较,结果表明,利用该方法计算含夹杂复合材料等效弹性常数是可行的.     

高温下编织复合材料热相关参数识别方法研究

为了获取高温下编织复合材料的准确弹性参数与热膨胀系数,提出一种基于均匀化理论的热相关参数识别方法. 首先,在编织复合材料单胞有限元模型基础上,基于均匀化理论和热弹性理论,施加周期性位移边界条件和温度边界条件,预测编织复合材 料的热弹性相关参数. 然后,考虑到等效过程中编织复合材料应力分布不均匀等因素引起的误差,将复合材料精细模型的热模态数据作为补 充信息,识别编织复合材料热相关参数,对预测的材料参数进行校准. 本文在二维编织结构单胞模型基础上,开展等效预测和识别方法研 究,验证所提出方法的有效性和准确性. 对比等效和识别后热模态的误差,结果表明:本文提出的基于等效预测的参数识别方法,能够 准确识别高温下编织复合材料宏观热相关参数.      

基于迭代法的非线性弹性均质化研究

微观结构对复合材料的宏观力学性能具有至关重要的影响, 通过合理设计复合材料微观结构可以得到期望的宏观性能. 均质化方法作为一种有效的设计方法, 它从微观结构的角度出发, 利用均匀化的概念, 实现了对复合材料宏观力学性能的预测和设计. 而当考虑非线性因素, 均质化的实现就非常困难. 本文利用双渐近展开方法, 将位移按照宏观位移和微观位移展开, 推导了非线性弹性均质化方程. 通过直接迭代法, 对非线性弹性均质化方程进行了求解, 并给出了具体的迭代方法和实现步骤. 本文基于迭代步骤和非线性弹性均质化方程编写MATLAB 程序, 对3种典型本构关系的周期性多孔材料平面问题进行了计算, 对比细致模型的应变能、最大位移和等效泊松比, 对程序及迭代方法的准确性进行了验证. 之后对一种三元橡胶基复合材料进行多尺度均质化, 将其分为芯丝尺度和层间尺度. 用线弹性的均质化方法得到了芯丝尺度的等效弹性参数, 并将其作为层间尺度的材料参数. 在层间尺度应用非线性弹性均质化方法对结构进行计算, 得到材料的宏观等效性能, 并以实验结果为基准进行评价.      

A homogenization theory of strain gradient single crystal plasticity and its finite element discretization

In this study, a homogenization theory based on the Gurtin strain gradient formulation and its finite element discretization are developed for investigating the size effects on macroscopic responses of periodic materials. To derive the homogenization equations consisting of the relation of macroscopic stress, the weak form of stress balance, and the weak form of microforce balance, the Y-periodicity is used as additional, as well as standard, boundary conditions at the boundary of a unit cell. Then, by applying a tangent modulus method, a set of finite element equations is obtained from the homogenization equations. The computational stability and efficiency of this finite element discretization are verified by analyzing a model composite. Furthermore, a model polycrystal is analyzed for investigating the grain size dependence of polycrystal plasticity. In this analysis, the micro-clamped, micro-free, and defect-free conditions are considered as the additional boundary conditions at grain boundaries, and their effects are discussed.     

General mean-field homogenization schemes for viscoelastic composites containing multiple phases of coated inclusions

We consider matrix materials reinforced with multiple phases of coated inclusions. All materials are linear viscoelastic. We present general schemes for the prediction of the effective properties based on mean-field homogenization. There are four contributions in this work. First, we present a two-step homogenization procedure in a general setting which besides the usual assumptions of Eshelby-based models, does not suffer any restriction in terms of material properties, aspect ratio or orientation. Second, for a matrix reinforced with coated inclusions, we propose two general homogenization schemes, a two-step method and a two-level recursive scheme. We develop and compare the mathematical expressions obtained by the two schemes and a generalized Mori–Tanaka (M–T) model. Third, for a two-phase composite, either standalone or stemming from two-step or two-level schemes, we use a double-inclusion model based on a closed-form but non-trivial interpolation between M–T and inverse M–T estimates. Fourth, we conduct an extensive validation of the proposed schemes as well as others against experimental data and unit cell finite element simulations for a variety of viscoelastic composite materials. Under severe conditions, the proposed schemes perform much better than other existing homogenization methods.