Advanced Multiscale Modelling of Composite Welding Processes.

This work focuses on the solution of thermal models usually encountered in composite plates welding processes that involve a certain number of numerical difficulties related to: (i) the very fine mesh required due to the small domain thickness with respect to the other characteristic dimensions as well as to the presence of a heat source moving on the domain surface; (ii) the long simulation times induced by the small thermal conductivity of polymers, the important thermal solicitations as well as to the movement of the heat source; and (iii) the necessity to define a homogenized thermal conductivity which can vary significantly from one point to other in the domain. In this paper we explore the applicability of a novel high resolution strategy abe to solve fast and accurately thermal models involving thousands of millions degrees of freedom. This technique opens new perspectives in computational mechanics, and more specifically in material homogenization. © 2007 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]