A computational mechanics avatar for the characterization and analysis of granular matter

Abstract

We present a computational mechanics avatar that enables unprecedented characterization and analysis of real granular systems. We describe new developments of the avatar framework in the following areas: seamless integration of volumetric data from X-Ray Computed Tomography (XRCT) and discrete element models, and new algorithms for the representation of non-convex particles and implicit time integration. We also present an application of the avatar concept within a multi-scale framework where dilatancy is extracted directly from a real microstructure and upscaled into a continuum finite element model. We shall give an outlook on the future of the avatar concept and discuss its role in opening new avenues in multi-scale modeling and materials characterization.

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