Finite element computation of the effective thermal conductivity of two-dimensional multi-scale heterogeneous media

Abstract

PurposeThe simulation of heat conduction inside a heterogeneous material with multiple spatial scales would require extremely fine and ill-conditioned meshes and, therefore, the success of such a numerical implementation would be very unlikely. This is the main reason why this paper aims to calculate an effective thermal conductivity for a multi-scale heterogeneous medium.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology integrates the theory of reiterated homogenization with the finite element method, leading to a renewed calculation algorithm.FindingsThe effective thermal conductivity gain of the considered three-scale array relative to the two-scale array has been evaluated for several different values of the global volume fraction. For gains strictly above unity, the results indicate that there is an optimal local volume fraction for a maximum heat conduction gain.Research limitations/implicationsThe present approach is formally applicable within the asymptotic limits required by the theory of reiterated homogenization.Practical implicationsIt is expected that the present analytical-numerical methodology will be a useful tool to aid interpretation of the gain in effective thermal conductivity experimentally observed with some classes of heterogeneous multi-scale media.Originality/valueThe novel aspect of this paper is the application of the integrated algorithm to calculate numerical bulk effective thermal conductivity values for multi-scale heterogeneous media.