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. •The representativeness of polycrystalline volume elements is assessed for an increasing number of grains.•Crystal plasticity and phase transformation mechanisms are taken into account.•Macroscopic specimens are employed to perform the convergence analysis with several realisations.•A FE-T technique that employs the Taylor constraint is developed to speedup simulations.•The FE-T response is compared against a FE2 simulation with periodic boundary conditions.