Unified periodic boundary condition for homogenizing the thermo-mechanical properties of composites

This work emphasizes on the Periodic Boundary Condition (PBC) utilized in the Finite El-ement Homogenization (FEH) method to numerically determine the Thermo-mechanical (T-M) properties of composites. The unified numerical implementation algorithms of the PBC used for accurately predicting the elastic properties, coefficients of thermal expan-sion and elasto-plastic behaviors of composites and available for representative volume elements with conformal and non-conformal surface meshes, respectively, are proposed and detailed. Regarding not only the thermo-elastic properties of composites, but also the elasto-plastic behaviors of composites under both simple uniaxial tensile, shear, uniaxial cycle loading paths and complex non-radial loading paths, the unified numerical imple-mentation algorithms are verified to accurately predict the T-M properties of composites, through comparison with the results of the analytical models, the DIGIMAT-FE method, the experimental test and the results from the literature. The unified numerical imple-mentation algorithms of the PBC can be extended to the predictions of other properties of various composites. This work provides a comprehensive insight into the PBC used for predicting the T-M properties of composites and benefits development of future FE codes implemented in commercial software packages.(c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This work focuses on the use of Periodic Boundary Condition (PBC) in the Finite Element Homogenization (FEH) method to numerically determine the Thermo-mechanical (T-M) properties of composites. Unified numerical implementation algorithms of PBC are proposed and detailed for accurate prediction of the elastic properties, coefficients of thermal expansion, and elasto-plastic behaviors of composites. The algorithms are verified to accurately predict the T-M properties of composites, including thermo-elastic properties and elasto-plastic behaviors under different loading paths, through comparison with analytical models, DIGIMAT-FE method, experimental tests, and literature results.