Institute of Fundamental Technological Research

Mean field homogenization (MFH) methods are widely employed for homogenizing heterogeneous materials. However, they are limited to predicting effective properties and phase-averaged stresses, failing to capture stresses within individual inclusions. This paper introduces a novel homogenization approach, termed MDMT-Voigt, aimed at addressing this lacuna. The proposed model is validated extensively using finite element analysis (FEA), encompassing virtual Representative Volume Elements (RVEs) with a range of aspect ratios, volume fractions, and orientation distributions. Furthermore, validation is conducted using RVEs derived from experimentally determined microstructures via micro-computed tomography. Across all models considered, the FEA results yield a range of stresses for inclusions with same orientation and aspect ratio which is captured well by the proposed MDMT-Voigt model. Prediction of stresses in individual inclusions represents a significant advancement over conventional MFH methods, offering substantial potential for enhanced micromechanics modelling comparable to full finite element approaches, but at a computational efficiency order of magnitude lower. The paper ends with a demonstration confirming improved micromechanics using the Modified Coulomb criteria

Mean field homogenization, Mori-Tanaka, Micromechanics, Finite element analysis