Micromechanics and Microstructure Modeling
About
Understanding the interplay between a material’s microstructure and its response to external loading is key to developing innovative materials tailored for their specific applications. We use computational methods to establish structure-property relationships and study the evolution of microstructure with the aim of uncovering the origins and underlying physical mechanisms of macro- and mesoscopic materials behavior.
Research Topics
Our research centers on multi-scale, multi-physics and constitutive modeling of both crystalline and amorphous materials. We are interested in how microstructures evolve under mechanical and thermal external loading, with a focus on elucidating the roles of deformation mechanisms such as plasticity, twinning and phase transformations in driving these microstructural changes. Further, we explore how microstructure influences the effective mechanical properties of materials. Our method portfolio includes phase-field approaches, homogenization methods as well as classical and non-classical continuum theories of solids, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding meso- and macroscopic material behavior.
Research Topics
Members
Further Information
Tandogan, I. T., Budnitzki, M., Sandfeld. S. A multi-physics model for the evolution of grain microstructure, International Journal of Plasticity, 185, 104201 - (2025) [10.1016/j.ijplas.2024.104201]
Strobl, R. ; Budnitzki, M. ; Sandfeld, S. Dislocation Motion Induced by Thermally Driven Phase Transformations,
Proceedings in applied mathematics and mechanics 23(1), e202200244 (2023) [10.1002/pamm.202200244]
Budnitzki, M. ; Sandfeld, S. A model for the interaction of dislocations with planar defects based on Allen–Cahn type microstructure evolution coupled to strain gradient elasticity, Journal of the mechanics and physics of solids 150, 104222 - (2021) [10.1016/j.jmps.2020.104222]