An automated framework for homogenizing thermo-mechanical properties of composites
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Automated finite element (FE) homogenization of composite RVEs requires consistent treatment of periodic meshing, boundary constraints, analysis generation, and postprocessing, and coordinating these tasks can become labor-intensive for repeated RVE calculations. This work presents Meso-FEH v1.0, an open-source Python framework for automated mechanical and thermal homogenization of periodic composite RVEs. The framework integrates periodic meshing, periodic boundary condition (PBC) construction, analysis generation, job execution, and postprocessing within a unified Abaqus-based workflow. Conformal meshes on opposing RVE boundaries are generated using scripted copy mesh pattern operations, while PBCs can be constructed either through direct Abaqus input-file generation or through the Abaqus/CAE model database. The framework is verified using randomly distributed spherical SiC particle-reinforced aluminum RVEs. Periodic mesh correspondence and PBC enforcement are confirmed through coordinate and displacement checks. For the tested models, the input-file-based PBC implementation is approximately 40 times faster than the CAE-based implementation for the elastic, thermal-expansion, and thermal-conduction analyses and approximately 254 times faster for the elasto-plastic analysis. Mesh- and RVE-size sensitivity analyses support the adopted discretization and RVE dimensions. The predicted elastic properties, coefficients of thermal expansion, thermal conductivities, and uniaxial elasto-plastic responses show generally good agreement with analytical models, available experimental measurements, and Digimat-FE results. Meso-FEH provides an efficient and reproducible platform for automated Abaqus-based RVE homogenization and high-throughput generation of effective composite properties.
Source: Advances in Engineering Software
Authors: Wenlong Tian, Lehua Qi
Institution: Northwestern Polytechnical University
Language: English
Topic: Composite Material Mechanics
Subfield: Mechanics of Materials
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,810
Awards: G6125075306, G8862565794, G9001166012
OpenAlex ID: W7215946903