Precise generation of complex statistical Representative Volume Elements (RVEs) in a finite element context

Abstract

A precise procedure to generate complex 2D and 3D statistical virtual microstructures in a finite element (FE) context is described. This technique, based on Laguerre tessellations and advancing front method, level-set description of interfaces and anisotropic meshing adaptation, is detailed for equiaxial polycrystal and powder RVEs defined by a size distribution law. The capability of the procedure to respect statistical data could be insured by the advancing front method coupled with an optimization procedure depending on the nature of the considered RVE. Moreover, by applying a graph coloration technique, the number of level-set functions used to represent the cells and also in anisotropic mesh adaptation is greatly reduced.