RVE computations with error control and adaptivity: the power of duality

The goal of computational homogenization is to obtain the macro-scale response, normally in terms of macro-scale stress for given macro-scale deformation, via RVE-computations. In this paper we investigate, in a systematic manner, the effects of Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions on the RVE. Adaptive computations are carried out with respect to, in particular, control of the error in the macro-scale stress tensor. This requires the corresponding dual solutions. As a new result, it is shown how the same dual solutions can be conveniently used in computing the algorithmic tangent stiffness tensor, thereby demonstrating the "power of duality". \ua9 Springer Verlag 2007