A multiple scale computational model is developed for composite materials to concurrently predict evolution of variables at the structural and microstructural scales, as well as to track the incidence and propagation of microstructural damage. The microscopic analysis is conducted with the Voronoi cell finite element model (VCFEM), while a conventional displacement based FEM code executes the macroscopic analysis. Adaptive schemes and mesh refinement strategies are developed to create a hierarchy of computational sub-domains with varying resolution. Coupling between the scales for regions with periodic microstructure is accomplished through asymptotic homogenization, whereas regions of nonuniformity and non-periodicity are modeled by microstructural analysis with VCFEM. An adaptive Voronoi cell finite element model is also developed for micromechanical analysis. Microstructural damage initiation and propagation in the form of debonding and particle cracking are incorporated.

    Professor Somnath Ghosh is the John B. Nordholt Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Ohio State University. He is also a Professor of Materials Science & Engineering and Civil Engineering, and is a participating faculty in the Biomedical Engineering Program at OSU. He received his M.S. in Theoretical & Applied Mechanics from Cornell University and his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is involved in several interdisciplinary research programs with funding from various agencies including NSF, ARO, AFOSR, NASA, FAA, DOE, and industries. He was awarded the NSF Young Investigator award in 1994. He was awarded the Harrison Faculty Award for Excellence in Engineering Education, a top honor by the Ohio State University. He was elected an ASME fellow in 2000. He is currently a member of the executive council of US Association for Computational Mechanics. His student won the prestigious Melosh Medal in 2003 for the best student paper in Computational Mechanics. More information can be obtained at http://www.mecheng.ohio-state.edu/people/ghosh.html.