AN IMPROVED METHOD OF MODELING POROUS MATERIALS USING FINITE-ELEMENTS

In this paper, a new method for determining the modulus of elasticity of a porous material is developed. This method involves the creation of a finite element model of a specimen of the material. The modulus of elasticity can then be found using limited information from one material sample. The model is three-dimensional, and simulates pores by placing small elements that are non-load bearing into the structure. These voids are randomly and unevenly distributed using a Poisson distribution to better simulate the response of a real porous material to a load. The same finite element model is used to demonstrate the effects on material behavior of changing the pore size and distribution. From this information a trend was noticed and an empirical equation developed that predicts a material's elastic modulus based on porosity and pore size.