Advanced Finite Element Methods for Simulation of Heterogeneous Materials

In MCMB LAB, we develop novel numerical tools to solve problems with complex discontinuous gradient fields observed in the analysis of heterogeneous materials. Our advanced computational methods are new additions to the family of Generalized/Extended Finite Element Methods and allow us to capture gradient discontinuities present along material interfaces using non-conforming meshes. We equip these methods with non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) basis functions to eliminate geometric discretization errors for complex geometries. Using complex computational geometry algorithms and avoiding the creation of conforming meshes used in conventional FEM, these methods result in significant simplification of the mesh generation process.

An advanced non-conforming computational model for 3D simulation of heterogeneous materials. This work was done in collaboration with Dr. Safdari (Illinois Rocstar Startup) and Dr. Geubelle and Dr. Sottos (UIUC).

Computational design of actively-cooled 3D microvascular composites.  The contour plot shows the maximum temperature in the composite and the average coolant temperatures at the outlet. This work was done in collaboration with Dr. Soghrati (OSU) and Dr. Geubelle (UIUC).

Related Publications

  • Safdari M., Raeisi Najafi A., Sottos N.R., Geubelle P.H.; “A NURBS-based Generalized Finite Element Scheme for 3D Simulation of Heterogeneous Materials”, Journal of Computational Physics, vol. 318, pp. 373-390, 2016.
  • Zhang K., Raeisi Najafi A., Jin J.M., Geubelle P.H.; “An Interface-Enriched Generalized Finite-Element Analysis for Electromagnetic Problems with Non-Conformal Discretization” International Journal of Numerical Modeling: Electronic Networks, Devices, and Fields, vol. 29 (2), pp. 265-279, 2016.
  • Safdari M., Raeisi Najafi A., Sottos N.R., Geubelle P.H.; “A NURBS-based Interface-enriched Generalized Finite Element Method for Problems with Complex Discontinuous Gradient Fields” International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, vol. 101(12), pp. 950–964, 2015.
  • Tan M.H.Y., Safdari M., Raeisi Najafi A., Geubelle P.H.; “A NURBS-based Interface Enriched Generalized Finite Element Scheme for the Thermal Analysis and Design of Microvascular Composites” Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, vol. 283(1), pp. 1382–1400, 2015.
  • Soghrati S., Raeisi Najafi A., Lin J. H., Hughes K. M., White S. R., Sottos N. R. Geubelle P. H.; “Computational Analysis of Actively-cooled 3D Woven Microvascular Composites Using a Stabilized Interface-enriched Generalized Finite Element Method” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 65, pp. 153-164, 2013.
  • Raeisi Najafi A., Coppola A., Soghrati S., White S. R., Sottos N. R., Geubelle P. H.; “Microvascular Composite Skin Panels for Hypersonic Aircraft” 55th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/SC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, National Harbor, Maryland, USA, January 13-17, 2014.
  • Raeisi Najafi A., Soghrati S., Sottos N. R. White S. R., Geubelle P. H.; “Computational Design of Actively-Cooled Microvascular Composite Skin Panels for Hypersonic Aircraft” 54th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/SC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, April 8-11, 2013.
  • Soghrati S., Raeisi Najafi A., Hughes K. M., Thakre P., Duarte C., Sottos N. R. White S. R., Geubelle P. H.; “Computational Design of Actively-Cooled Microvascular Composite for High Temperature Applications” 53th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/SC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, April 23-26, 2012.