Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification of Materials and Structures

Book excerpt: This book contains the proceedings of the IUTAM Symposium on Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification of Materials and Structures that was held at Santorini, Greece, September 9 – 11, 2013. It consists of 20 chapters which are divided in five thematic topics: Damage and fracture, homogenization, inverse problems–identification, multiscale stochastic mechanics and stochastic dynamics. Over the last few years, the intense research activity at micro scale and nano scale reflected the need to account for disparate levels of uncertainty from various sources and across scales. As even over-refined deterministic approaches are not able to account for this issue, an efficient blending of stochastic and multiscale methodologies is required to provide a rational framework for the analysis and design of materials and structures. The purpose of this IUTAM Symposium was to promote achievements in uncertainty quantification combined with multiscale modeling and to encourage research and development in this growing field with the aim of improving the safety and reliability of engineered materials and structures. Special emphasis was placed on multiscale material modeling and simulation as well as on the multiscale analysis and uncertainty quantification of fracture mechanics of heterogeneous media. The homogenization of two-phase random media was also thoroughly examined in several presentations. Various topics of multiscale stochastic mechanics, such as identification of material models, scale coupling, modeling of random microstructures, analysis of CNT-reinforced composites and stochastic finite elements, have been analyzed and discussed. A large number of papers were finally devoted to innovative methods in stochastic dynamics.