Generalized continua and non-homogeneous boundary conditions in homogenisation methods [Plenary lecture presented at the 81st Annual GAMM Conference, Karlsruhe, 25 March 2010]

Extensions of classical homogenization methods are presented that are used to replace a composite material by an effective generalized continuum model. Homogeneous equivalent second gradient and micromorphic models are considered, establishing links between the macroscopic generalized stress and strain measures and the fields of displacement, strain and stress inside a volume element of composite material. Recently proposed non-homogeneous boundary conditions to be applied to the unit cell, are critically reviewed. In particular, it is shown that such polynomial expansions of the local displacement field must be complemented by a generally non-periodic fluctuation field. A computational strategy is introduced to unambiguously determine this fluctuation. The approach is well-suited for elastic as well as elastoplastic composites. (C) 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim