Image-based semi-multiscale finite element analysis using elastic subdomain homogenization

In this paper we present a semi-multiscale methodology, where a micrograph is split into multiple independent numerical model subdomains. The purpose of this approach is to enable a controlled reduction in model fidelity at the microscale, while providing more detailed material data for component level- or more advanced finite element models. The effective anisotropic elastic properties of each subdomain are computed using periodic boundary conditions, and are subsequently mapped back to a reduced mesh of the original micrograph. Alternatively, effective isotropic properties are generated using a semi-analytical method, based on averaged Hashin–Shtrikman bounds with fractions determined via pixel summation. The chosen discretization strategy (pixelwise or partially smoothed) is shown to introduce an uncertainty in effective properties lower than 2% for the edge-case of a finite plate containing a circular hole. The methodology is applied to a aluminium alloy micrograph. It is shown that the number of elements in the aluminium model can be reduced by 99.89 % while not deviating from the reference model effective material properties by more than 0.65 % , while also retaining some of the characteristics of the stress-field. The computational time of the semi-analytical method is shown to be several orders of magnitude lower than the numerical one.