Scripts to Insert Cohesive Elements at the Interfaces between Matrix and Precipitates with Irregular Shapes in Representative Volume Elements in ABAQUS

A MATLAB algorithm was developed to insert cohesive elements at the interfaces between the matrix and precipitates in two dimensional (2D) representative volume elements (RVEs) of metals. The RVEs were created using OOF2 and imported into the “Complete ABAQUS Environment” (CAE) interface. These RVEs are based on actual images of the metal at the microscale, where the precipitates have irregular shapes. The RVEs contain precipitates that are dispersed into matrix materials. Commercial finite element (FE) ABAQUS software does not provide the option to automatically generate cohesive elements at the interfaces. The presented algorithm enables the insertion of cohesive elements at the interfaces between the matrix and precipitate in a convenient manner. This algorithm enables the simulation of the fracture process, including initiation at the interfaces and propagation at microscale, for metals that contain precipitates and/or particles. This algorithm extends the simulation capabilities of the FE solver ABAQUS.