Multi-scale modelling and canonical dual finite element method in phase transitions of solids

This paper presents a multi-scale model in phase transitions of solid materials with both macro and micro effects. This model is governed by a semi-linear nonconvex partial differential equation which can be converted into a coupled quadratic mixed variational problem by the canonical dual transformation method. The extremality conditions of this variational problem are controlled by a triality theory, which reveals the multi-scale effects in phase transitions. Therefore, a potentially useful canonical dual finite element method is proposed for the first time to solve the nonconvex variational problems in multi-scale phase transitions of solids. Applications are illustrated. Results shown that the canonical duality theory developed by the first author in nonconvex mechanics can be used to model complicated physical phenomena and to solve certain difficult nonconvex variational problems in an easy way. The canonical dual finite element method brings some new insights into computational mechanics.