Stochastic reassembly for managing the information complexity in multilevel analysis of heterogeneous materials

Hongyi Xu, Hua Deng, Catherine Brinson, Dmitriy Dikin, Wing Kam Liu, Wei Chen*, M. Steven Greene, Craig Burkhart, George Papakonstantopoulos, Mike Poldneff

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Efficient and accurate analysis of materials behavior across multiple scales is critically important in designing complex materials systems with exceptional performance. For heterogeneous materials, apparent properties are typically computed by averaging stress-strain behavior in a statistically representative cell. To be statistically representative, such cells must be larger and are often computationally intractable, especially with standard computing resources. In this research, a stochastic reassembly approach is proposed for managing the information complexity and reducing the computational burden, while maintaining accuracy, of apparent property prediction of heterogeneous materials. The approach relies on a hierarchical decomposition strategy that carries the materials analyses at two levels, the RVE (representative volume element) level and the SVE (statistical volume element) level. The hierarchical decomposition process uses clustering methods to group SVEs with similar microstructure features. The stochastic reassembly process then uses ttesting to minimize the number of SVEs to garner their own apparent properties and fits a random field model to high-dimensional properties to be put back into the RVE. The RVE thus becomes a coarse representation, or "mosaic," of itself. Such a mosaic approach maintains sufficient microstructure detail to accurately predict the macro-property but becomes far cheaper from a computational standpoint. A nice feature of the approach is that the stochastic reassembly process naturally creates an apparent-SVE property database. Thus, material design studies may be undertaken with SVE- Apparent properties as the building blocks of a new material's mosaic. Some simple examples of possible designs are shown. The approach is demonstrated on polymer nanocomposites.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication38th Design Automation Conference
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Pages199-208
Number of pages10
EditionPARTS A AND B
ISBN (Print)9780791845028
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2012 - Chicago, IL, United States
Duration: Aug 12 2012Aug 12 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference
NumberPARTS A AND B
Volume3

Conference

ConferenceASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago, IL
Period8/12/128/12/12

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Modeling and Simulation
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design

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