Variational asymptotic homogenization of beam-like square lattice structures

By means of variational asymptotic homogenization, using Piola’s meso-macro ansatz, we derive the linear Timoshenko beam as the macro-scale limit of a meso-scale beam-like periodic planar square lattice structure. By considering benchmarks in statics and dynamics, meso-to-macro convergence is numerically analyzed. At the finest micro-scale, a 2D assembly of elastic, geometrically linear, isotropic and homogeneous Cauchy continua in plane strain with different material parameters is considered. Using this description, we calibrate the meso-scale model using standard methodology and, by exploiting the meso-to-macro homogenization scaling laws, we recover bending and shear Timoshenko beam moduli. It turns out that the Timoshenko beam found in this way and the finest-scale description based on the Cauchy continuum are in excellent agreement.