Abstracts: 
We introduce a multi-agent meta-modeling game to generate data, knowledge, and models that make predictions on constitutive responses of elasto-plastic materials. We introduce a new concept from graph theory where a modeler agent is tasked with evaluating all the modeling options recast as a directed multigraph and find the optimal path that links the source of the directed graph (e.g. strain history) to the target (e.g. stress) measured by an objective function. Meanwhile, the data agent, which is tasked with generating data from real or virtual experiments (e.g. molecular dynamics, discrete element simulations), interacts with the modeling agent sequentially and uses reinforcement learning to design new experiments to optimize the prediction capacity. Consequently, this treatment enables us to emulate an idealized scientific collaboration as selections of the optimal choices in a decision tree search done automatically via deep reinforcement learning.  Preprint available at ResearchGate [URL]. 

Abstract:

We introduce a regularized anisotropic modified Cam-clay (MCC) model which captures the size-dependent anisotropic elastoplastic responses for clay, mudstone, shales, and sedimentary rock. By homogenizing the multiscale anisotropic effects induced by clay particle aggregate, clusters, peds, micro-fabric, and mineral contact across length scales, we introduce two distinctive anisotropic mechanisms for the MCC model at the material point and mesoscale levels. We first employ a mapping that links the anisotropic stress state to a fictitious isotropic principal stress-space to introduce anisotropy at the material point scale. Then, the mesoscale anisotropy is introduced via an anisotropic regularization mechanism. This anisotropic regularization mechanism is triggered by introducing gradient-dependence of the internal variables through a penalty method such that the resultant gradient-enhanced plastic flow may exhibit anisotropic responses non-coaxial to the stress gradient of the yield function. The influence of the size-dependent anisotropy on the formation of the shear band and the macroscopic responses of the effective media are analyzed in 2D and 3D numerical examples. [PDF]

Abstract: 
We introduce a mathematical framework designed to enable a simple image-to-simulation workflow for solids of complex geometries in the geometrically nonlinear regime. While the material point method is used to circumvent  the mesh distortion issues commonly exhibited in Lagrangian meshes,
a shifted domain technique originated from [Main and Scovazzi, 2018a,b] is used to represent the boundary conditions implicitly via a level set or signed distance function. Consequently, this method completely bypasses the need to generate high-quality conformal mesh to represent complex geometries and therefore allows modelers to select the space of the interpolation function without the constraints due to the geometrical need. This important simplification enables us to simulate deformation of complex geometries inferred from voxel images. Verification examples on deformable body subjected to finite rotation have shown that the new shifted domain material point method is able to generate frame-indifferent results. Meanwhile, simulations using microCT images of a Hostun sand have demonstrated that this method is able to reproduce the quasi-brittle damage mechanisms of single grain without the excessively concentrated nodes commonly displayed in conformal meshes that represent 3D objects with local fine details. [PDF]

WaiChing "Steve" Sun, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, is part of a team who recently won a highly competitive Department of Defense (DoD) MURI (Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative) grant to develop computational/data-driven/machine-learning-enhanced mathematical models for energetic materials with an integrated experimental and modeling efforts across university. The team is led by University of Missouri-Columbia, and includes researchers from University of Iowa, UIUC, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University, and Columbia.  The five-year $7.5 million AFOSR (Air Force Office of Scientific Research) grant was awarded for the DoD’s “MURI Topic #24: Microstructurally-Aware Continuum Models for Energetic Materials;” the project is titled “Integrating Multiscale Modeling and Experiments to Develop a Meso-Informed Predictive Capability for Explosives Safety and Performance” (See press release from Department of Defense here). Since its inception in 1985, the tri-service (ARO, ONR, AFOSR) MURI program has been supporting teams whose members have diverse sets of expertise as well as creative and different approaches to tackling problems. It’s a program that remains a cornerstone of the DOD’s legacy of scientific impact. 

Sun's work focuses on the development of theoretical and computational models and the corresponding computer algorithms for porous media, with applications in geomechanics and computational mechanics, and mechanics for civil infrastructure. This is the first DoD MURI grant obtained by Sun and the seventh Department of Defense grant Sun's research group has obtained since 2014. His work is supported by multiple federal funding agencies, including two highly competitive Young Investigator Program Awards from Army Research Office (ARO) and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), an 800K grant from Department of Energy Nuclear University Program (DOE NEUP) on nuclear waste disposal, and recently an NSF CAREER award from the mechanics of materials and structures program of CMMI division in NSF. 

1. 2019 workshop to celebrate Prof. J.S. Chen's 60th birthday

11:00am – 11:15am March 11th  Alameda Room, ​The Pleasanton Marriot Hotel, Pleasanton, CA

An Adaptive Meta-Modeling Game for Automated Generations of Elasto-Plasticity Models with Self-Guided Discovery

Abstract:  We introduce a meta-modeling game based on concepts from multi-graph theory to find the optimal way to generate data and write models for blind predictions of a physical process We consider an idealized situation in which the modeling process of history-dependent process can be represented by a sequence of decision making where modelers make choices to formulate a sequence of actions to generate models.  While previous work on data-driven modeling often focus on completely replacing hand-crafted theory with a data-driven paradigm, our goal is to seek the best option that represents the hierarchy of material responses, i.e. the knowledge represented by a directed graph. As such, we introduce a new concept where all the modeling options can be recast as a directed multi-graph and each instant/configuration of the model can be understood as a path that links the source of the directed graph (e.g. strain history) to the sink (e.g. stress). This treatment enables us to further conceptualize the hybrid modeling process as a selection of the optimal choices in a decision tree search via deep reinforcement learning.  In the case where availability of data is limited, the meta-modeling algorithm also explores the weakness links in the constitutive laws and explore the optimal set of experiments to yield the best forward predictions under a limited budget. ​

2. Stanford Department Seminar 

4:30pm to 5:30pm March 12th, Shriram 104, Stanford University

Phase field damage-plasticity framework for fluid-infiltrating materials with size-dependent anisotropy

Abstract: Rock salt and clay are the prime candidates considered for nuclear waste geological disposal. In both materials, the microstructural attributes, such as the crystalline slip system, micro-fabric and mineral contacts, may lead to distinctive anisotropic responses at different length scales. In this talk, we present a unified mathematical framework designed to capture the size-dependent anisotropy of these path-dependent hydro-mechanical responses of geological materials used for nuclear waste disposal. In the brittle regime, we introduce a phase field fracture model in which the difference in critical energy release rates for different kinematics modes is considered. A search algorithm is used to determine the kinematic mode and propagation direction of the crack. In the ductile regime, we introduce a non-coaxial anisotropic regularization of the anisotropic modified Cam-Clay (MCC) model proposed by Semnani et al. 2016 to generate size-dependent plastic flow that could be non-coaxial to the stress gradient of the yield function. The influence of the size-dependent anisotropy on the formation of the shear band and the macroscopic responses of the effective media are analyzed in 2D and 3D numerical examples. The coupling between the damage and plastic responses of anisotropic materials, the transition from the brittle to ductile regimes and corresponding the poromechanical configurational force mesh adaption strategy required to capture the sharp gradients of pore pressure and phase field are also highlighted.  

The Mineral, Metals & Materials Society has published the report on "Verification & Validation of Computational Models Associated with the Mechanics of Materials" in which Professor Sun was served as the chair of the Planning Team. The report can be downloaded at http://tinyurl.com/y3slf8nf. Another related workshop titled "Advanced Computation and Data in Materials and Manufacturing: Core Knowledge Gaps and Opportunities" in which Professor Sun also participated is also available at http://tinyurl.com/y2bhjg79. We are thankful to the participants for contributing to these invited workshops, the members of the organization committee for their time and efforts, and the Mechanics of Materials and Structure Program of National Science Foundation for providing the important support, and the colleagues from TMS for making these workshop a great success. 

Prof. Sun has won the NSF CAREER award for his project, “Deep-reinforcement-learning-enhanced computational failure mechanics across multiple scales.”