Finite element assessment of an affine self-consistent model for hexagonal polycrystals

The present study aims at providing computations that can be used as reference solution to check mean-field nonlinear homogenization models for elastoviscoplastic constituents. These computations are based on finite element (FE) simulations of polycrystalline aggregates made of grains with hexagonal crystalline structure. A detailed statistical analysis has been performed for a specific grain located at the center of the aggregate by varying its neighboring grains. Comparisons are performed at the overall and local scales between simulations using the affine extension of the self-consistent scheme and the FE results for tensile and creep loading tests.