On the representativeness of polycrystalline models with transformation induced plasticity

The convergence behaviour of representative volume elements (RVEs) with an increasing number of crystalline grains, which can undergo crystallographic slip and mechanically induced martensitic formation, is analysed in the present contribution. Instead of analysing a single micromechanical model subjected to relevant loading scenarios, the representativeness of the RVEs is assessed by running distinct macroscopic simulations that promote different deformation modes with several random realisations of the polycrystalline microstructure. To avoid the computational cost of FE2 approaches and make this convergence analysis feasible, a computationally efficient Taylor's condition (FE-T) is assumed. Then, an FE2 simulation is performed with periodic boundary conditions for a converged RVE size to illustrate the impact of Taylor's assumption on the macroscopic response. The introduction of martensitic transformation slightly increases the dispersion of the results. Nevertheless, the macroscopic response converges whether this phenomenon is considered or not.

Automated summary

This contribution analyzes the convergence behavior of representative volume elements (RVEs) with an increasing number of crystalline grains. The influence of crystallographic slip and mechanically induced martensitic formation is studied. Instead of analyzing a single micromechanical model, the representativeness of the RVEs is assessed through distinct macroscopic simulations. A computationally efficient Taylor's condition (FE-T) is assumed to make the convergence analysis feasible. The results showed that the macroscopic response converges regardless of whether the martensitic transformation is considered or not.