Three-dimensional brittle fracture: configurational-force-driven crack propagation

SUMMARY This paper presents a computational framework for quasi‐static brittle fracture in three‐dimensional solids. The paper sets out the theoretical basis for determining the initiation and direction of propagating cracks based on the concept of configurational mechanics, consistent with Griffith...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal for numerical methods in engineering 2014-02, Vol.97 (7), p.531-550
Main Authors: Kaczmarczyk, Łukasz, Nezhad, Mohaddeseh Mousavi, Pearce, Chris
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
arc-length control
Brittle fracture
configurational forces
crack path
Dissipation
Finite element method
fracture
Fracture mechanics
Mathematical models
mesh adaptivity
mesh quality
Numerical analysis
Propagation
Three dimensional
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Summary:SUMMARY This paper presents a computational framework for quasi‐static brittle fracture in three‐dimensional solids. The paper sets out the theoretical basis for determining the initiation and direction of propagating cracks based on the concept of configurational mechanics, consistent with Griffith's theory. Resolution of the propagating crack by the FEM is achieved by restricting cracks to element faces and adapting the mesh to align it with the predicted crack direction. A local mesh improvement procedure is developed to maximise mesh quality in order to improve both accuracy and solution robustness and to remove the influence of the initial mesh on the direction of propagating cracks. An arc‐length control technique is derived to enable the dissipative load path to be traced. A hierarchical hp‐refinement strategy is implemented in order to improve both the approximation of displacements and crack geometry. The performance of this modelling approach is demonstrated on two numerical examples that qualitatively illustrate its ability to predict complex crack paths. All problems are three‐dimensional, including a torsion problem that results in the accurate prediction of a doubly‐curved crack. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:0029-5981
1097-0207
DOI:10.1002/nme.4603