Finite strain poro-hyperelasticity: an asymptotic multi-scale ALE-FSI approach supported by ANNs

This contribution introduces and discusses a formulation of poro-hyperelasticity at finite strains. The prediction of the time-dependent response of such media requires consideration of their characteristic multi-scale and multi-physics parameters. In the present work this is achieved by formulating a non-dimensionalised fluid-solid interaction problem (FSI) at the pore level using an arbitrary Lagrange-Euler description (ALE). The resulting coupled systems of PDEs on the reference configuration are expanded and analysed using the asymptotic homogenisation technique. This approach yields three partially novel systems of PDEs: the macroscopic/effective problem and two supplementary microscale problems (fluid and solid). The latter two provide the microscopic response fields whose average value is required in real-time/online form to determine the macroscale response (a concurrent multi-scale approach). In order to overcome the computational challenges related to the above multi-scale closure, this work introduces a surrogate approach for replacing the direct numerical simulation with an artificial neural network. This methodology allows for solving finite strain (multi-scale) porohyperelastic problems accurately using direct automated differentiation through the strain energy. Optimal and reliable training data sets are produced from direct numerical simulations of the fully-resolved problem by including a simple real-time output density check for adaptive sampling step refinement. The data-driven approach is complemented by a sensitivity analysis of the RVE response. The significance of the presented approach for finite strain poro-elasticity/poro-hyperelasticity is shown in the numerical benchmark of a multi-scale confined consolidation problem. Finally, to show the robustness of the method, the system response is dimensionalised using characteristic values of soil and brain mechanics scenarios.

Automated summary

This contribution introduces and discusses a formulation of poro-hyperelasticity at finite strains. The formulation considers the time-dependent response of such media, taking into account their multi-scale and multi-physics parameters. The approach involves formulating a non-dimensionalised fluid-solid interaction problem at the pore level and expanding and analysing the resulting systems of PDEs on the reference configuration. The study also proposes a data-driven approach using an artificial neural network to overcome computational challenges.