M-Voronoi and other random open and closed-cell elasto-plastic cellular materials: Geometry generation and numerical study at small and large strains

Abstract

The present study deals with a numerical design strategy of a novel class of three-dimensional random Voronoi-type geometries, called M-Voronoi. These materials comprise random, non-quadratic convex void shapes and non-uniform intervoid ligament thicknesses, and can span high-to-low relative densities. The starting point for their generation is a random adsorption algorithm (RSA) construction with spherical voids embedded in an incompressible, nonlinear elastic matrix phase. The initial RSA geometry is subjected to large elastic volume changes by prescribing Dirichlet boundary conditions. Due to the incompressibility of the matrix phase, the externally imposed volume changes lead to significant void growth. The numerical growth process may be stopped at any desired porosity. The proposed M-Voronoi process is general and allows the formation of isotropic (or anisotropic) designs. As a byproduct of the developed approach, we also present a novel remeshing technique allowing to read arbitrary geometries of one or multiple phases. The elasto-plastic properties of the M-Voronoi porous materials are numerically investigated at small strains as well as large compressive and shear loads. Their response is assessed by comparison with other well-known random and periodic porous geometries such as polydisperse porous materials with spherical voids (RSA), classical TPMS Gyroid geometries and random Spinodoid topologies. The results show that M-Voronoi and RSA (with spherical voids) geometries exhibit the stiffest elastic and highest flow stress response compared to the other two geometries. This study shows unambiguously that randomness may or may not lead to enhanced mechanical response such as higher stiffness or flow stress.