Stochastic finite element method homogenization of heat conduction problem in fiber composites

The main idea behind the paper is to present two alternative methods of homogenization of the heat conduction problem in composite materials, where the heat conductivity coefficients are assumed to be random variables. These two methods are the Monte-Carlo simulation (MCS) technique and the second order perturbation second probabilistic moment method, with its computational implementation known as the Stochastic Finite Element Method (SFEM). From the mathematical point of view, the deterministic homogenization method, being extended to probabilistic spaces, is based on the effective modules approach. Numerical results obtained in the paper allow to compare MCS against the SFEM and, on the other hand, to verify the sensitivity of effective heat conductivity probabilistic moments to the reinforcement ratio. These computational studies are provided in the range of up to fourth order probabilistic moments of effective conductivity coefficient and compared with probabilistic characteristics of the Voigt-Reuss bounds.