Modelling Three-Dimensional Microstructure Evolution Influenced by Concurrent Structural Mechanical Mechanisms

Abstract

The interdependence between structural mechanics and microstructure solidification is an inherently three-dimensional phenomenon, where the complex physical processes and mechanical interactions can lead to dendrites growing at orientations influenced by twisting and out of plane bending. These effects can have a significant impact on the formation of defects and the overall macroscopic material properties of the structure. However, all attempts to numerically model this process so far have been limited to two-dimensional representations of the problem, which necessitates ignoring any potential behaviour that may arise from these more complex deformation events. For this reason, the two-dimensional numerical methods presented in previous papers, which couple a Finite Volume Structural Mechanics Solver to a Cellular Automata solidification solver, have been expanded so that problems may now be simulated in three dimensions. Results are presented which do not aim to predict any specific mechanism but rather highlight the new capabilities of this improved three-dimensional modelling framework.