Research aimed at modeling the compaction and early stages of sintering of powders when a liquid phase coexists with the particulate solid will be conducted. The study will also shed some light on constitutive modeling of the mechanical response of materials fabricated using such a technique. To accomplish these goals, a continuum model will be developed on the basis of some thermomicromechanical considerations, so that the effects of fabric anisotropy and interparticle forces are properly accounted for. In addition, the model will account for the relative sliding of grains during compaction, as well as the sintering induced distortional and volumetric deformation rates. In parallel with the development of the continuum model, a discrete material model of compaction of granular materials will be developed using a linear programming technique. After validation, this model can be used to verify the hypotheses made in formulating the continuum model.
