An integrated framework for modelling virtual 3D irregulate particulate mesostructure

Abstract

Many particulate composites show heterogenous mesoscopic structural behaviour due to a random distribution of irregular shaped particles with different sizes ranging from micro to macro scale. Accurate mesoscale models are required to represent actual geometric properties of such a composite with realistic features. In this paper, a cost-effective simulation framework is presented, which can virtually generate three-dimensional mesostructure models composed of irregulate particles with real characteristics. A MATLAB code is developed based on the Voronoi tessellation method and the splining technique. The hybrid Voronoi-spline algorithm can be programmed to control the shape and size of particles based on the experimental data. The examples demonstrated the proper adjustability of the models in accordance with the sieve analysis and shape parameters such as sphericity and roundness. The generated model as a triangulated geometry surface can be directly exported into computational analysis of materials, which uses other numerical techniques including finite element method.

A novel framework for modelling the 3D mesostructure of steel fibre reinforced concrete

“…Step 4. This step can be extended into another module such as splining, shape/size configurations [31] and ITZ generation which will be explained in the next step.…”

“…The method to simulate the ITZ that surrounds each coarse aggregate (particle) uses the particle structures previously generated. It is mainly based on the scaling technique [31] but with modification. The modelling process includes two steps: (1) The triangulated surface of a particle is duplicated by reproducing the matrix of vertices (or nodes).…”

“…In contrast with the shrunk factor in the scaling system presented in [31], the expansion factor is not uniformly applied for all vertices in order to keep the thickness consistent among two surfaces. Fig.…”

“…In the previous work [31], it was discussed how the initial size of Voronoi cells can be controlled by the number of seed points and their distribution mode. It was stated that a large enough number and size of cells should be produced as a requirement prior to the size adjustment step.…”

“…In the authors' prior publication [31], an integrated modelling framework was presented for generating the 3D virtual mesostructure of the particulate media using Voronoi and splining methods. The proposed approach could control the shape and size of the irregulate particles (coarse aggregates) in the random distribution system.…”