FFT based approaches in micromechanics: fundamentals, methods and applications

FFT methods have become a fundamental tool in computational micromechanics since they were first proposed in 1994 by H. Moulinec and P. Suquet for the homogenization of composites. From that moment on many dierent approaches have been proposed for a more accurate and efficient resolution of the non- linear homogenization problem. Furthermore, the method has been pushed beyond its original purpose and has been adapted to many other problems including continuum and discrete dislocation dynamics, multi-scale modeling or homogenization of coupled problems as fracture or multiphysical problems. In this paper, a comprehensive review of FFT approaches for micromechanical simulations will be made, covering the basic mathematical aspects and a complete description of a selection of approaches which includes the original basic scheme, polarization based methods, Krylov approaches, Fourier-Galerkin and displacement-based methods. The paper will present then the most relevant applications of the method in homogenization of composites, polycrystals or porous materials including the simulation of damage and fracture. It will also include an insight into synergies with experiments or its extension towards dislocation dynamics, multi-physics and multi-scale problems. Finally, the paper will analyze the current limitations of the method and try to analyze the future of the application of FFT approaches in micromechanics.