Strength Properties of Porous Materials Influenced by Shape and Arrangement of Pores: A DLO Investigation Towards Material Design

Abstract

The prediction of strength properties of porous materials, which in general are random in nature with varying spatial distribution and variation of pores and matrices, caused by the manufacturing processes, plays an important role with regard to the reliability of materials and structures. The recently developed discontinuity layout optimisation (DLO) and adaptive discontinuity layout optimisation (ADLO), which was used for determination of strength properties of materials and structures, are included in a stochastic limit analysis framework, using random variables. Therefore, different material properties influencing the overall strength of the porous material (e.g. matrix strength, shape, number, and distribution of pores) within a considered two-dimensional RVE are assumed to follow certain probability distributions. A sensitivity study for the identification of material parameters showing the largest influence on the strength of the considered porous materials is performed. The obtained results provide first insight into the nature of the reliability of strength properties of porous materials, paving the way to a better understanding and finally improvement of effective strength properties of porous materials.