Development of Representative Volume Element Homogenization Model for Predicting Transversely Isotropic Elasticity of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

In this study, a representative volume element (RVE) homogenization approach is proposed to predict the mechanical properties of a lithium-ion battery (LIB) cell, module, and pack in an electric vehicle (EV). Different RVE models for the LIB jellyroll and module are suggested. Various elastic properties obtained from RVE analyses were compared to the analytic solution. To validate the approach suggested, the elastic responses of two types of homogenized LIB module for various loading cases were compared to the model where all the jellyroll and module components were described fully. Additionally, parametric studies were conducted to determine the relationship between design parameters of the jellyroll components and the elastic behavior of LIB jellyroll and module. The results obtained in this study provide useful information for both LIB cell developers, at the concept design stage, and engineers of electric vehicles who want to predict the mechanical safety of a battery pack.