• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.315-334
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• 2015

This study's primary aim is to check the existence of a representative volume element for granular materials and determine the link between the properties (responses) of macro structures and the size of the discrete particle assembly used to represent a constitutive relation in a two-scale model. In our two-scale method the boundary value problem on the macro level was solved using finite element method, based on the Cosserat continuum; the macro stresses and modulus were obtained using a solution of discrete particle assemblies at certain element integration points. Meanwhile, discrete particle assemblies were solved using discrete element method under boundary conditions provided by the macro deformation. Our investigations focused largely on the size effects of the discrete particle assembly and the radius of the particle on macro properties, such as deformation stiffness, bearing capacity and the residual strength of the granular structure. According to the numerical results, we suggest fitting formulas linking the values of different macro properties (responses) and size of discrete particle assemblies. In addition, this study also concerns the configuration and displacement fluctuation of discrete particle assemblies on the micro level, accompanied with the evolution of bearing capacity and deformation on the macro level.

• Advances in biomechanics and applications
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.23-40
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• 2014

This paper examines the blood chamber of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) under static loading conditions and standard operating temperatures. The LVAD's walls are made of a temperature-sensitive polymer (ChronoFlex C 55D) and are covered with a titanium nitride (TiN) nano-coating (deposited by laser ablation) to improve their haemocompatibility. A loss of cohesion may be observed near the coating-substrate boundary. Therefore, a micro-scale stress-strain analysis of the multilayered blood chamber was conducted with FE (finite element) code. The multi-scale model included a macro-model of the LVAD's blood chamber and a micro-model of the TiN coating. The theories of non-linear elasticity and elasto-plasticity were applied. The formulated problems were solved with a finite element method. The micro-scale problem was solved for a representative volume element (RVE). This micro-model accounted for the residual stress, a material model of the TiN coating, the stress results under loading pressures, the thickness of the TiN coating and the wave parameters of the TiN surface. The numerical results (displacements and strains) were experimentally validated using digital image correlation (DIC) during static blood pressure deformations. The maximum strain and stress were determined at static pressure steps in a macro-scale FE simulation. The strain and stress were also computed at the same loading conditions in a micro-scale FE simulation.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.175-194
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• 2008

Increasingly numerical (finite element) modeling of concrete hinges on our ability to develop a representative volume element with all its heterogeneity properly discretized. Yet, despite all the sophistication of the ensuing numerical models, the initial discretization has been for the most part simplistic. Whenever the heterogeneity of the concrete is to be accounted for, a mesh is often manually crafted through the arbitrary inclusion of the particles (aggregates and/or voids) in an ad-hoc manner. This paper develops a mathematical strategy to precisely address this limitation. Algorithms for the random generation and placement of elliptical (2D) or ellipsoid (3D) inclusions, with possibly radiating cracks, in a virtual concrete model are presented. Collision detection algorithms are extensively used.

• 소성∙가공
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.194-198
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• 2015

Microstructure based FE simulations were conducted to investigate the micro-mechanical properties of ferrite-martensite dual-phase steels. The FE model was built based on real microstructure images which were characterized by optical microscopy through the thickness direction. Serial sectioned 2D images were converted into semi-2D representative volume elements (RVEs) model. Each RVE model was subjected to a non-proportional loading condition and the mechanical response was analyzed on both the macroscopic and microscopic levels. Macroscopically, stress-strain curves were described under tension-compression and tension-orthogonal tension conditions and the Bauschinger effect was well captured for both loading paths. In addition, micromechanical properties were investigated in the view of stress-strain partitioning and strain localization during monotonic tension.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제7권5호
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• pp.469-482
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• 2010

This paper investigates the concrete permeability through a numerical and statistical approach. Concrete is considered as a random heterogeneous composite of three phases: aggregates, interfacial transition zones (ITZ) and matrix. The paper begins with some classical bound and estimate theories applied to concrete permeability and the influence of ITZ on these bound and estimate values is discussed. Numerical samples for permeability analysis are established through random aggregate structure (RAS) scheme, each numerical sample containing randomly distributed aggregates coated with ITZ and dispersed in a homogeneous matrix. The volumetric fraction of aggregates is fixed and the size distribution of aggregates observes Fuller's curve. Then finite element method is used to solve the steady permeation problem on 2D numerical samples and the overall permeability is deduced from flux-pressure relation. The impact of ITZ on overall permeability is analyzed in terms of ITZ width and contrast ratio between ITZ and matrix permeabilities. Hereafter, 3680 samples are generated for 23 sample sizes and 4 contrast ratios, and statistical analysis is performed on the permeability dispersion in terms of sample size and ITZ characteristics. By sample theory, the size of representative volume element (RVE) for permeability is then quantified considering sample realization number and expected error. Concluding remarks are provided for the impact of ITZ on concrete permeability and its statistical characteristics.

• 한국항공우주학회지
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• 제39권8호
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• pp.711-718
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• 2011

본 논문에서는 열화학적 분해 및 열기계학적 변형이 고려된 구성 방정식을 사용하여 다공성 탄소/페놀릭 복합재료의 열탄성 거동을 예측하였다. 다공성 복합재료의 온도 의존성 및 열화학적 분해 과정에서의 기공도, 분해 가스에 의한 기공 압력, 재료의 수축을 고려하였다. 기공도와 기공 압력이 고려된 대표 체적 요소 모델의 유한요소 해석을 통해 산출된 거시적 기공 탄성 계수를 구성 방정식에 적용하였다. 간단한 수치 실험을 통해 기공탄성 계수가 다공성 재료의 열탄성 거동에 미치는 영향을 분석하였으며, 재료 내부에 형성된 기공과 기공 압력에 의한 응력 구배 및 변형을 확인하였다.

• 대한기계학회논문집A
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.260-268
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• 2006

The micromechanical approach was used to investigate the interfacial strain distributions of a unidirectional composite under transverse loading in which fibers were usually found to be randomly packed. Representative volume elements (RVE) for the analysis were composed of both regular fiber arrays such as a square array and a hexagonal array, and a random fiber array. The finite element analysis was performed to analyze the normal, tangential and shear strains at the interface. Due to the periodic characteristics of the strain distributions at the interface, the Fourier series approximation with proper coefficients was utilized to evaluate the strain distributions at the interface for the regular and random fiber arrays with respect to fiber volume fractions. From the analysis, it was found that the random arrangement of fibers had a significant influence on the strain distribution at the interface, and the strain distribution in the regular fiber arrays was one of special cases of that in the random fiber array.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.221-240
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• 2017

The modeling of the mechanical behavior of quasi-brittle materials is still a challenge task, mainly in failure processes when fracture and plasticity phenomena become important actors in dissipative processes which occur in materials like concrete, as instance. Many homogenization-based approaches have been proposed to deal with heterogeneous materials in the last years. In this context, a computational homogenization modeling for concrete is presented in this work using the concept of Representative Volume Element (RVE). The material is considered as a three-phase material consisting of interface zone (ITZ), matrix and inclusions-each constituent modeled by an independent constitutive model. The Representative Volume Element (RVE) consists of inclusions idealized as circular shapes symmetrically and nonsymmetrically placed into the specimen. The interface zone is modeled by means of cohesive contact finite elements. The inclusion is modeled as linear elastic and matrix region is considered as elastoplastic material. A set of examples is presented in order to show the potentialities and limitations of the proposed modeling. The consideration of the fracture processes in the ITZ is fundamental to capture complex macroscopic characteristics of the material using simple constitutive models at mesoscopic level.

• 소성∙가공
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.395-399
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• 2015

A microstructure-based finite element simulation was conducted to predict the plastic strain ratio (R-value) of a dual-phase (DP) steel. The representative volume elements (RVEs) concept was adopted for the image-based FE modeling and a 3D model was constructed using sequential 2D images. Each phase was considered with the von-Mises yield criterion and the Swift model. The Swift parameters were defined by the empirical equations based on the chemical composition. The developed model was applied to analyze the effect of residual stress on the R-value and stress distribution. In order to consider the residual stress development after cold rolling, 10 % compression was applied in the thickness direction and unloaded before the tensile stress was applied in the rolling direction. The results showed a reasonable prediction for the R-value evolution: a sharp increase at small strains was well described and a transition followed in the downward direction. The R-value evolution was analyzed using the stress distribution change on the π-plane

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권8호
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• pp.2823-2834
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• 2023

Austenitic stainless steel welds (ASSWs) of nuclear components undergo aging-related degradations caused by high temperature and neutron radiation. Since irradiation leads to the change of material characteristics, relevant quantification is important for long-term operation, but limitations exist. Although ion irradiation is utilized to emulate neutron irradiation, its penetration depth is too shallow to measure bulk properties. In this study, a systematic approach was suggested to estimate mechanical properties of ion irradiated 308 ASSW. First of all, weld specimens were irradiated by 2 MeV proton to 1 and 10 dpa. Microstructure evolutions due to irradiation in δ-ferrite and austenite phases were characterized and micropillar compression tests were performed. In succession, dislocation density based stress-strain (S-S) relationships and quantification models of irradiation defects were adopted to define phases in finite element analyses. Resultant microscopic S-S curves were compared to verify material parameters. Finally, macroscopic behaviors were calculated by multiscale simulations using real microstructure based representative volume element (RVE). Validity of the approach was verified for the unirradiated specimens such that the estimated S-S curves and 0.2% offset yield strengths (YSs) which was 363.14 MPa were in 10% agreement with test. For irradiated specimens, the estimated YS were 917.41 MPa in 9% agreement.