3D simulation of image-defined complex internal features using the numerical manifold method

The numerical simulation of internal features, such as inclusions and voids, is important to analyze their impact on the performance of composite materials. However, the complex geometries of internal features and the induced continuous-discontinuous (C-D) deformation fields are challenges to their numerical simulation. In this study, a 3D approach using a simple mesh to simulate irregular internal geometries is developed for the first time. With the help of a developed voxel crack model, image models that are efficient when recording complex geometries are directly imported into the simulation. Surface reconstructions, which are usually labor-intensive, are excluded from this approach. Moreover, using image models as the geometric input, image processing techniques are applied to detect material interfaces and develop contact pairs. Then, the C-D deformations of the complex internal features are directly calculated based on the numerical manifold method. The accuracy and convergence of the developed 3D approach are examined based on multiple benchmarks. Successful 3D C-D simulation of sandstones with naturally formed complex microfeatures demonstrates the capability of the developed approach.