Micromechanics of heterogeneous materials is the study of how mechanical properties of complex materials, composed of distinct phases or constituents, manifest at a microstructural level. This field is crucial for understanding the macroscopic behavior of advanced materials, enabling the design and prediction of performance for composites, alloys, and other non-uniform systems by analyzing stress, strain, and deformation at a fine scale.
Explore the fundamental micromechanics of granular materials, focusing on how individual particle interactions govern the bulk behavior of these complex systems. This includes understanding stress transmission, deformation mechanisms, and flow characteristics at the microscale, which ultimately influence macroscopic properties and applications ranging from soil mechanics to pharmaceutical manufacturing. We also look into recent advancements in simulating and predicting granular material behavior using computational micromechanics.
This project focuses on the development of a differential scheme micromechanics modeling framework specifically tailored for Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). Its primary objective is to accurately predict the HMA complex modulus, a critical parameter for understanding material behavior, with robust support from comprehensive experimental validations to ensure the model's reliability for asphalt pavement performance.