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Bossut_59121900_2024.pdf
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- The primary objective of this thesis is to investigate the impact of grain topology and misorientation between adjacent grains on the microscopic stress heterogeneities that arise in graphite under thermal loading. The study employs numerical modeling techniques, utilizing Voronoi diagrams to represent the polycrystalline microstructure and the finite element method (FEM) to analyze stress distributions. The research focuses on two distinct graphite configurations: randomly oriented grains and the unique onion-like structure of Gilsocarbon particles. The study successfully develops and validates a novel seed distribution algorithm that ensures both accurate representation of microstructures and periodicity for 2D and 3D Representative Volume Elements (RVEs). The macroscopic behavior of these microstructures is analyzed, revealing insights into their apparent Young's modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The microscopic analysis reveals correlations between the stress intensity and the relative angle between adjacent grains and the localisation of stress concentrations. The research also highlights the challenges and trade-offs associated with 3D simulations, emphasizing the need for further optimization and refinement. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanical behavior of graphite and Gilsocarbon, paving the way for the development of more robust and resilient engineering solutions.