Periodization of random media and representative volume element size for linear composites

Several existing numerical studies show that the effective linear properties of random composites can be accurately estimated using small volumes subjected to periodic boundary conditions – more suitable than homogeneous strain or stress boundary conditions – providing that a sufficient number of realizations are considered. Introducing the concept of periodization of random media, this Note gives a new definition of representative volume element which leads to estimates of its minimum size in agreement with existing theoretical results. A qualitative convergence criterion for the numerical simulations is proposed and illustrated with finite element computations.