A phase-field lattice model (PFLM) for fracture problem

Theory and application in composite materials

authored by: Qiang Yue, Qiao Wang, Wenxiang Tian, Timon Rabczuk, Wei Zhou, Gang Ma, Xiaoying Zhuang, Xiaolin Chang
Abstract: In the present work, a phase-field lattice model (PFLM) is proposed to model fracture problems. The element deletion process and oversimplified failure criterion of the classical lattice model not only lead to a strong mesh sensitivity but also limit the method's application to various materials and fracture modes. Hence, a smeared form of crack is introduced into the lattice model to deal with these problems. The model exploits discontinuous discrete methods to model the propagation of three-dimensional cracks by characterizing the crack with a phase-field variable. Moreover, by regarding the crack propagation process as a multi-field problem composed of a displacement field and a phase-field, a flexible and robust algorithm is established, in which the crack path can be obtained directly by resolving the governing equations. Numerical simulations were performed and compared with the experimental results and other numerical models. It is shown that the PFLM can capture the main features of the fracture for both brittle and quasi-brittle materials. To further demonstrate the performance of the model, a mesoscale system of cement composite generated by computed tomography scanning technology was examined. The result demonstrates that the fracture of composite materials can also be well predicted.
Organisation(s): Institute of Continuum Mechanics
External Organisation(s): Wuhan University
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Type: Article
Journal: Composite Structures
Volume: 323
ISSN: 0263-8223
Publication date: 01.11.2023
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Ceramics and Composites, Civil and Structural Engineering
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2023.117432 (Access: Closed)
: Details in the research portal "Research@Leibniz University"

BibTeX

@article{6778bb6005374c39be898b7eac41d0d1,
title = "A phase-field lattice model (PFLM) for fracture problem: Theory and application in composite materials",
abstract = "In the present work, a phase-field lattice model (PFLM) is proposed to model fracture problems. The element deletion process and oversimplified failure criterion of the classical lattice model not only lead to a strong mesh sensitivity but also limit the method's application to various materials and fracture modes. Hence, a smeared form of crack is introduced into the lattice model to deal with these problems. The model exploits discontinuous discrete methods to model the propagation of three-dimensional cracks by characterizing the crack with a phase-field variable. Moreover, by regarding the crack propagation process as a multi-field problem composed of a displacement field and a phase-field, a flexible and robust algorithm is established, in which the crack path can be obtained directly by resolving the governing equations. Numerical simulations were performed and compared with the experimental results and other numerical models. It is shown that the PFLM can capture the main features of the fracture for both brittle and quasi-brittle materials. To further demonstrate the performance of the model, a mesoscale system of cement composite generated by computed tomography scanning technology was examined. The result demonstrates that the fracture of composite materials can also be well predicted.",
keywords = "Brittle and quasi-brittle fracture, Composite materials, Lattice model, Phase-field model, Three-dimensional modelling",
author = "Qiang Yue and Qiao Wang and Wenxiang Tian and Timon Rabczuk and Wei Zhou and Gang Ma and Xiaoying Zhuang and Xiaolin Chang",
note = "Funding Information: Financial support for the project from the National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2022YFC3005505), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51979207, No. U2040223) is acknowledged. ",
year = "2023",
month = nov,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1016/j.compstruct.2023.117432",
language = "English",
volume = "323",
journal = "Composite Structures",
issn = "0263-8223",
publisher = "Elsevier BV",
}