A micromechanics-based multiscale modeling of heterogeneous rocks with a complex microstructure
Wanqing Shen*
Deep Resources Engineering. 2026, 3(2): 100238. 
doi.org10.1016j.deepre.2026.100238.pdf
Abstract: For the micromechanical analysis of heterogeneous materials, this study develops a new macroscopic yield criterion tailored to composites exhibiting a porous matrix-inclusion microstructure. At the mesoscale, mineral grains are distributed within a porous medium, while at the microscale, fine pores are localized inside the matrix. The Drucker–Prager (DP) criterion is employed to capture the tension–compression asymmetry of the solid phase. The proposed macroscopic criterion explicitly incorporates the effects of mesoscale inclusion content, microscale porosity, and pressure sensitivity of the solid phase on the overall mechanical response. Based on this criterion, a multiscale constitutive model is established, incorporating an appropriate plastic hardening law and a macroscopic plastic potential. The model is applied to characterize the macroscopic mechanical behavior of a typical claystone. It enables automatic consideration of mineral compositions and their evolution throughout loading, thanks to its micromechanical foundation. Finally, the model is validated through comparisons with experimental data obtained at various depths, under different component conditions and confining pressures.
Highlights:
• A new macroscopic yield criterion is derived for a heterogeneous material.
• The influence of material microstructure is fully considered by this criterion.
• This criterion overcomes the weaknesses of the main existing criteria.
• A complete constitutive model has been established with an application.
• The present work provides a sound background for various future works.
Keywords: Rock mechanics; Civil engineering; Geomaterial; Constitutive model; Multi-scale modeling; Microstructure
Cite: Shen, W.Q., A micromechanics-based multiscale modeling of heterogeneous rocks with a complex microstructure, Deep Resources Engineering 2026, 3 (2), 100238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.deepre.2026.100238
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