Application of Finite Element Homogenization Technique for Efficient Modeling of Additively Manufactured Metamaterials

The current research is devoted to study of the feasibility of the homogenization method to such objects as additively manufactured metamaterials. The article presents the approaches, analysis details and results of finite element homogenization based on a set of metamaterials produced with metal additive manufacturing using the powder-based materials such as aluminium alloy AlSi10Mg and 17-4PH steel. The numerical study was performed using highly adequate orthotropic models of the materials, and the results from homogenized models were compared both with the results of the full models of the metamaterials and with the experimental data. Results of the performed research show clearly that the method of finite element homogenization is fully applicable for such structures as metamaterials. There is a good correlation between the full models, natural experiments and homogenized models in the considered range of strain and stresses. The formulated methodology can be well applied for developing new and optimizing existing mechanical parts and assembly components for such advanced industries as aviation, automotive, space and others