Monte Carlo simulation of complex cohesive fracture in random heterogeneous quasi-brittle materials

A numerical method is developed to simulate complex two-dimensional crack propagation in quasi-brittle materials considering random heterogeneous fracture properties. Potential cracks are represented by pre-inserted cohesive elements with tension and shear softening constitutive laws modelled by spatially-varying Weibull random fields. Monte Carlo simulations of a concrete specimen under uni-axial tension were carried out with extensive investigation of the effects of important numerical algorithms and material properties on numerical efficiency and stability, crack propagation processes and load-carrying capacities. It was found that the homogeneous model led to incorrect crack patterns and load–displacement curves with strong mesh-dependence, whereas the heterogeneous model predicted realistic, complicated fracture processes and load-carrying capacity of little mesh-dependence. Increasing the variance of the tensile strength random fields with increased heterogeneity led to reduction in the mean peak load and increase in the standard deviation. The developed method provides a simple but effective tool for assessment of structural reliability and calculation of characteristic material strength for structural design.     

Monte Carlo simulation of complex cohesive fracture in random heterogeneous quasi-brittle materials: A 3D study

In a recent publication (Yang et al., 2009. Monte Carlo simulation of complex cohesive fracture in random heterogeneous quasi-brittle materials. Int. J. Solids Struct. 46 (17) 3222–3234), we developed a finite element method capable of modelling complex two-dimensional (2D) crack propagation in quasi-brittle materials considering random heterogeneous fracture properties. The present study extends the method to model three-dimensional (3D) problems. First, 3D cohesive elements are inserted into the initial mesh of solid elements to model potential crack surfaces by a specially designed, flexible and efficient algorithm and corresponding computer program. The softening constitutive laws of the cohesive elements are modelled by spatially-varying 3D Weibull random fields. Monte Carlo simulations are then carried out to obtain statistical information of structural load-carrying capacity. A concrete cube under uniaxial tension was analysed as an example. It was found that as the 2D heterogeneous model, the 3D model predicted realistic, complicated fracture processes and load-carrying capacity of little mesh-dependence. Increasing heterogeneity in terms of the variance in the tensile strength random fields resulted in lower mean and higher standard deviation of peak loads. Due to constraint effects and larger areas of unsmooth, non-planar fracture surfaces, 3D modelling resulted in higher mean and lower standard deviation of peak loads than 2D modelling.     

柱形装药爆炸破坏混凝土的数值模拟分析

利用LS-DYNA有限元程序建立计算模型,对有无预制孔的半无限混凝土介质中柱形装药的爆炸破坏过程进行了数值模拟研究,得出了不同埋深时的爆腔半径和爆破漏斗半径以及毁伤混凝土的最佳埋深范围,结果与理论计算吻合较好。同时,计算分析了在一定埋深处正向起爆与反向起爆的破坏状态,并对计算结果进行理论分析,结果表明反向起爆更有利于混凝土的破坏。     

Numerical simulation of hydraulic fracture crack propagation

The plane problem of crack motion in an elastic medium under the pressure of a viscous fluid is considered. Under the condition of a constant fluid flow rate, the fluid is injected at the center of the crack. Contrary to other formulations of the problem, this paper attempts to take into account a possible fluid lag behind the crack tip. The resulting numerical solution is compared with a semianalytic one. It is found that the proposed numerical model can be used to predict the characteristics of a hydraulic fracture crack formed in a medium of a prescribed strength.     

Numerical simulation of fully-developed compressible flows over wavy surfaces

Rough surfaces are common on high-speed vehicles, for example on heat shields, but compressibility is not usually taken into account in the flow modelling other than through the mean density. In the present study, supersonic fully-developed turbulent rough wall channel flows are simulated using direct numerical simulation to investigate whether strong compressibility effects significantly alter the mean flow and turbulence properties across the channel. The simulations were run for three different Mach numbers M = 0.3, 1.5 and 3.0 over a range of wall amplitude-to-wavelength ratios from 0.01 to 0.08, corresponding to transitionally and fully rough cases respectively. The velocity deficit values are found to decrease with increasing Mach number. It is also found that at Mach 3.0 significant differences occur in the mean flow and turbulence statistics throughout the channel and not just in a roughness sublayer. These differences are found to be due to the presence of strong shock waves created by the peaks of the roughness elements.     

Numerical simulation of unsteady inviscid flows with free surfaces

The boundary element method is used to calculate numerically the unteady flow of a capillary liquid associated with the interaction of an expanding gas cavity and the free surface of the liquid.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 2, pp. 3–7, March–April, 1990.     

The simulation of dynamic crack propagation using the cohesive segments method

The cohesive segments method is a finite element framework that allows for the simulation of the nucleation, growth and coalescence of multiple cracks in solids. In this framework, cracks are introduced as jumps in the displacement field by employing the partition of unity property of finite element shape functions. The magnitude of these jumps are governed by cohesive constitutive relations. In this paper, the cohesive segments method is extended for the simulation of fast crack propagation in brittle solids. The performance of the method is demonstrated in several examples involving crack growth in linear elastic solids under plane stress conditions: tensile loading of a block; shear loading of a block and crack growth along and near a bi-material interface.     

Three-dimensional cohesive fracture modeling of non-planar crack growth using adaptive FE technique

In this paper, the three-dimensional adaptive finite element modeling is presented for cohesive fracture analysis of non-planer crack growth. The technique is performed based on the Zienkiewicz–Zhu error estimator by employing the modified superconvergent patch recovery procedure for the stress recovery. The Espinosa–Zavattieri bilinear constitutive equation is used to describe the cohesive tractions and displacement jumps. The 3D cohesive fracture element is employed to simulate the crack growth in a non-planar curved pattern. The crack growth criterion is proposed in terms of the principal stress and its direction. Finally, several numerical examples are analyzed to demonstrate the validity and capability of proposed computational algorithm. The predicted crack growth simulation and corresponding load-displacement curves are compared with the experimental and other numerical results reported in literature.     

Numerical simulation of fracture mode transition in ductile plates

Fracture mode of ductile solids can vary depending on the history of stress state the material experienced. For example, ductile plates under remote in-plane loading are often found to rupture in mode I or mixed mode I/III. The distinct crack patterns are observed in many different metals and alloys, but until now the underlying physical principles, though highly debated, remain unresolved. Here we show that the existing theories are not capable of capturing the mixed mode I/III due to a missing ingredient in the constitutive equations. We introduce an azimuthal dependent fracture envelope and illustrate that two competing fracture mechanisms, governed by the pressure and the Lode angle of the stress tensor, respectively, exist ahead of the crack tip. Using the continuum damage plasticity model, we demonstrate that the distinctive features of the two crack propagation modes in ductile plates can be reproduced using three dimensional finite element simulations. The magnitude of the tunneling effect and the apparent crack growth resistance are calculated and agree with experimental observations. The finite element mesh size dependences of the fracture mode and the apparent crack growth resistance are also investigated.     

高应变率下断裂韧性实验的数值模拟

采用有限元软件ANSYS/LS-DYNA程序对静态和冲击荷载作用下的含裂纹半圆弯曲(SCB)实验进行了数值模拟。根据静态实验的模拟结果,提出了适合复合型加载的Ⅰ型应力强度因子拟合公式,采用该公式计算应力强度因子的最大误差不超过10%。动态实验的模拟结果表明:对于纯Ⅰ型加载的SCB实验,动态应力强度因子随着试样半径、支座间距以及相对裂纹长度的变化呈现规律性变化;当试样半径小于60mm、相对支座间距为1.2、相对裂纹长度在0.1~0.4范围内时,惯性效应的影响较小,采用静态拟合公式计算裂尖的动态应力强度因子的误差约10%;对于复合型加载的SCB实验,当相对裂纹长度为0.2~0.4、裂纹倾角在10°~40°范围内时,采用静态拟合公式计算裂尖的动态应力强度因子的误差小于10%。     

过冷水滴撞击螺旋桨桨叶表面的数值模拟

本文介绍了某型螺旋桨在不同飞行状态下.求解桨叶水滴撞击特性的数值方法.该方法对桨叶运动模型进行简化,并在对绕桨叶运动的气流场计算的基础上,采用拉格朗日方法求解气流场中水滴运动方程,得到水滴运动轨迹.进而,确定了水滴对桨叶的撞击特性参数,为桨叶防冰系统设计提供条件.主要结论如下:(1)在巡航状态下,桨叶沿展向方向上总收集系数Em和局部收集系数β不断增大;(2)在爬升状态下,随着爬升高度H不断增大,飞行速度V0不断增大,水滴撞击在桨叶表面的范围有所增加,而且β随之增大;(3)随着水滴平均有效直径(MVD)的增大,水滴撞击在桨叶表面的范围明显增加同时,β在桨叶表面同一位置的值也随之增大.     

Phase-field models for brittle and cohesive fracture

In this paper we first recapitulate some basic notions of brittle and cohesive fracture models, as well as the phase-field approximation to fracture. Next, a critical assessment is made of the sensitivity of the phase-field approach to brittle fracture, in particular the degradation function, and the use of monolithic versus partitioned solution schemes. The last part of the paper makes extensions to a recently developed phase-field model for cohesive fracture, in particular for propagating cracks. Using some simple examples the current state of the cohesive phase-field model is shown.     

A unified potential-based cohesive model of mixed-mode fracture

A generalized potential-based constitutive model for mixed-mode cohesive fracture is presented in conjunction with physical parameters such as fracture energy, cohesive strength and shape of cohesive interactions. It characterizes different fracture energies in each fracture mode, and can be applied to various material failure behavior (e.g. quasi-brittle). The unified potential leads to both intrinsic (with initial slope indicators to control elastic behavior) and extrinsic cohesive zone models. Path dependence of work-of-separation is investigated with respect to proportional and non-proportional paths—this investigation demonstrates consistency of the cohesive constitutive model. The potential-based model is verified by simulating a mixed-mode bending test. The actual potential is named PPR (Park-Paulino-Roesler), after the first initials of the authors’ last names.     

基于离散元的杆件断裂全过程数值模拟

杆件的断裂会涉及到大变形、非线性以及不连续等问题,通常的数值计算方法模拟这种复杂力学行为具有局限性。本文基于颗粒离散元法DEM,将接触粘结处的分布式弹簧用梁纤维进行等效,提出了一种适于结构弹塑性分析的DEM纤维梁模型,然后在此基础上构建了构件断裂模拟算法以及纤维破环准则。将该模型应用于悬臂梁结构,模拟了悬臂梁从弹性到弹塑性阶段,再到断裂破坏的全过程,数值模拟得到的结构响应和截面开裂破坏形态均较合理。最后将该方法应用于单层网壳倒塌破坏模拟,并与网壳振动台倒塌试验进行对比,结果表明,数值模拟得到的杆件断裂过程及结构倒塌模式与试验现象一致,验证了该模型的正确性和适用性。     

A thermo-mechanical cohesive zone formulation for ductile fracture

The paper addresses the possibility to project both mechanical and thermal phenomena pertinent to the fracture process zone into a cohesive zone. A wider interpretation of the notion cohesive zone is thereby suggested to comprise not only stress degradation due to micro-cracking but also heat generation and energy transport. According to our experience, this widening of the cohesive zone concept allows for a more efficient finite element simulation of ductile fracture. The key feature of the formulation concerns the thermo-mechanical cohesive zone model, evolving within the thermo-hyperelastoplastic continuum, allowing for the concurrent modelling of both heat generation, due to the fracture process, and heat transfer across the fracture process zone. This is accomplished via thermodynamic arguments to obtain the coupled governing equation of motion, energy equation, and constitutive equations. The deformation map is thereby defined in terms of independent continuous and discontinuous portions of the displacement field. In addition, as an extension of the displacement kinematics, to represent the temperature field associated with the discontinuous heat flux across the fracture interface, a matching discontinuous temperature field involving the interface (or band) temperature is proposed. In the first numerical example, concerning dynamic quasi-brittle crack propagation in a thermo-hyperelastoplastic material, we capture the initial increase in temperature close to the crack surface due to the energy dissipating fracture process. In the second example, a novel application of ductile fracture simulation to the process of high velocity (adiabatic) cutting is considered, where some general trends are observed when varying the cutting velocity.     

Construction of quasi-brittle and quasi-ductile fracture diagrams based on necessary and sufficient criteria

Materials with a regular structure characterized by quasi-brittle and quasi-ductile fractures are considered in the case where the characteristic linear dimension of the structural element is known. Necessary and sufficient fracture criteria are constructed using the Neuber-Novozhilov approach. A modified Leonov-Panasyuk-Dugdale model for an opening mode crack is proposed where the width of the prefracture zone coincides with the width of the plasticity zone. For the critical parameters of quasi-brittle fracture (tensile stress, length of prefracture zones, stress intensity factors), relations are obtained that allow material fracture to be considered in the case where the crack length is negligible compared to the characteristic linear dimension of the structural element. A fracture diagram obtained using the critical stresses calculated from the necessary and sufficient criteria is considered in a wide range of crack lengths. The elastoplastic problem of extension of a plate with a central crack is solved using the finite-element method. The dimensions and shape of the plastic zone near the crack tip are determined for different levels of loads corresponding to quasi-brittle and quasi-ductile fracture. The obtained results are analyzed to estimate the width of the prefracture zone and the critical crack opening.     

岩石双孔爆破过程的流形元法模拟

在流形元基本理论基础上,引入断裂力学的裂纹产生及扩展判据,应用二阶流形元对岩石双孔爆破过程进行了研究,模拟了双孔同时起爆和毫秒延时起爆两种条件下裂纹的产生和扩展、块体的形成以及漏斗形成过程,分析了爆炸载荷作用下岩石的破坏规律以及起爆条件对该过程的影响,验证了流形元法在研究冲击载荷作用下岩石从连续体到不连续体破坏过程的准确性和有效性,为研究类似问题提供一个新的思路和方法。     

Numerical simulation of deformation and fracture in low-carbon steel coated by diffusion borating

Numerical simulation of tensile mechanical behavior of low-carbon steel test piece surface-hardened by diffusion borating is performed to investigate the effect of stress concentration on the mesoscale plastic-deformation pattern. The computer simulations under review employ low-carbon steel as a substrate material with FeB₂ serving as a surface-hardened layer. The computations are performed for representative mesovolumes based on real experimentally revealed structure with an intermediate layer of different configurations. A model taking into account crack formation is applied to investigate coating fracture. The results obtained are presented and discussed.