Computationally efficient, high-fidelity micromechanics framework using refined 1D models

Abstract

A novel micromechanical framework based on higher-order refined beam models is presented. The micromechanical framework is developed within the scheme of the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF), a hierarchical formulation which provides a framework to obtain refined structural theories via a variable kinematic description. The Component-Wise approach (CW), a recent extension of one-dimensional (1D) CUF models, is utilized to model components within the representative volume element (RVE). CW models employ Lagrange-type polynomials to interpolate the kinematic field over the element cross-sections of the beams and efficiently handle the analysis of multi-component structures such as RVE. The governing equations are derived in the weak form using finite element method. The framework derives its efficiency from the ability of CUF models to produce accurate 3D displacement and stress fields at a reduced computational cost. Three different cases of micromechanical homogenization are presented to demonstrate the efficiency and high-fidelity of the proposed framework. The results are validated through published literature results and via the commercial software ABAQUS. The capability of CUF-CW models to accurately predict the overall elastic moduli along with the recovery of local 3D fields is highlighted.