Computational analysis of nonlinear composite structures using the nonuniform transformation field analysis Original Research Article

A reduced model for the effective behavior of nonlinear composites, such as metal–matrix composite materials, has been recently proposed by the authors . It extends and improves on the Transformation Field Analysis of Dvorak by considering nonuniform transformation strains, also called plastic modes, and is referred to as the Nonuniform Transformation Field Analysis. The present study is devoted to the implementation of this new homogenized model into a structural computation. A brief account on the reduction procedure is given first. Then the time-integration of the model which is required at each integration point of the structural problem is performed by means of an implicit scheme. Two examples are discussed. The response of the homogenized structure is compared to the “exact” response of the actual heterogeneous structure computed with a very fine mesh. It is seen that not only the structural response is accurately captured by the NTFA model, but also the local stress field is correctly approximated.