Automatic generation of periodic representative volume elements for matrix-inclusion composites and their efficiency in multiscaling

In this contribution we introduce an efficient method to automatically generate and mesh periodic three-dimensional-microstructures that act as representative
volume elements (RVEs) for describing matrix-inclusion composites. Firstly the creation of random microstructures featuring cubic RVEs with non-overlapping
inclusions and a periodic topology is emphasized. Thereafter a hierarchical meshing procedure complying with the periodicity constrained follows. Maintaining a periodic mesh topology allows direct application of the favorable periodic boundary conditions. Special emphasis is paid on the discretization procedure to maintain a high quality mesh with as few elements as possible, thus, manageable for further numerical simulations.