Two-dimension estimate of effective properties of solid with random voids

A discrete model for the estimation of the effect of random voids on the structural properties of a two-dimensional solid is presented. Triangular void cells are used to simulate randomly located micro-cracks. The proposed model is solved using Cell Method, a recent numerical method that allows a direct discrete formulation of balance equations. Both heterogeneities of the structure and stress concentrations due to voids distribution are taken into account by the model. Following an introduction, some aspects of Cell Method for plane elasticity that are relevant for this paper will be briefly recalled and results from simulations in the elastic field will be discussed. Next, the proposed model will be extended to plastic field and more simulations will be presented. Results show that this model can be successfully employed to assess the structural response of a 2D solid with randomly distributed voids.