Comprehensive investigation on hierarchical multiscale homogenization using Representative Volume Element for piezoelectric nanocomposites

In the current paper, Representative Volume Element (RVE) which is a major tool in modeling heterogeneous media is studied from different aspects. Hierarchical numerical homogenization procedure is performed for characterization of a piezoelectric nanocomposite, composed of a non-piezoelectric polymer reinforced with piezoelectric Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs). Finite Element Method (FEM) is employed for numerical simulations and the study of influential parameters on the RVE concept. Different key parameters consisting modeling element size, absolute/periodic boundary conditions, volume fraction of nanotubes, aspect ratio of nanotubes, anisotropy class of the nanocomposite, elastic and piezoelectricity contrast between constituent materials are observed within the current research. To this end, sufficient criteria such as convergence of the outputs to a unique value, double checking based on the symmetry/anti-symmetry of coefficient matrix are observed to verify the output results and increase the reliability of the evaluated effective characteristics.