During the last decades, multiscale methods have been developed to capture the physics at different scales. Multiscale models are based on the idea of resolving smaller scales, with correct physical models to extract responses that can be used at the macroscopic scale. As an example the Gurson's model is a multiscale homogenization method as it is solving a microscopic problem (plastic flow around the microvoids) to derive a macroscopic homogenized constitutive behavior (the apparent plastic yield surface).
The general idea of a multi-scale method is illustrated in Picture VI.32 in which two boundary value problems (BVP) are solved concurrently:
The link between the two boundary value problems involves two steps:
Multiscale methods assume lengths scale separation, $L_{\text{macro}}>>L_{\text{Volume Element}}>>L_{\text{micro}}$, which is not trivially satisfied in case of failure (but this is beyond the scope of this introduction).
Multiscale models can be used for heterogeneous materials, for which failure involves complex mechanisms, such as composite laminates, see Picture VI.33. An example of application is displayed in Picture VI.34 for the model of the failure of a [$90^o$ / $45^o$ / $-45^o$ / $90^o$ / $0^o$ ] - open hole laminate. In this numerical model:
The crack evolution in the different plies is represented by the damage in Picture VI.34, where it can be seen that the numerical model is in good agreement with the experiments.
The failure of polycrystalline materials is another example of the multi-scale heterogeneous material study, see Picture VI.35. In this model
Such a multiscale model is able to account for the effects of
on the failure of the polycrystalline structure.