Asymptotic homogenization algorithm for reinforced metal-matrix elasto-plastic composites

The theory of the two-scale convergence was applied to homogenization of initial flow stresses and hardening constants in some exponential hardening laws for elasto-plastic composites with a periodic microstructure. The theory is based on the fact that both the elastic and the plastic part of the stress field two-scale converge to a limit, which can be factorized by parts, one of which depends only on the macroscopic, and the other one – only on the microscopic characteristics. The first factor is represented in terms of the homogenized stress tensor and the second factor – in terms of stress concentration tensor, that relates to the micro-geometry and elastic or plastic micro-properties of composite components. The theory was applied to a composite, that consists of the metallic elasto-plastic matrix with Ludwik and Hocket–Sherby hardening law and pure elastic silica inclusions. Results were compared with those of averaging based on the self-consistent methods.