Stochastic uncertainty analysis of damage evolution computed through microstructure–property relations

Uncertainties in material microstructure features can lead to uncertainty in damage predictions based on multiscale microstructure–property models. This paper presents an analytical approach for stochastic uncertainty analysis by using a univariate dimension reduction technique. This approach is used to analyze the effects of uncertainties pertaining to the structure–property relations of an internal state variable plasticity–damage model that predicts failure. The results indicate that the higher the strain the greater the scatter in damage, even when the uncertainties in the material plasticity and microstructure parameters are kept constant. In addition, the mathematical sensitivity analysis results related to damage uncertainty are consistent with the physical nature of damage progression. At the beginning, the initial porosity and void nucleation are shown to drive the damage evolution. Then, void coalescence becomes the dominant mechanism. And finally, when approaching closer to failure, fracture toughness is found to dominate the damage evolution process.