Configurational-Force-Based Adaptive FE Solver for a Phase Field Model of Fracture

The computational modeling of failure mechanisms in solids due to fracture based on sharp crack discontinuities suffers in situations with complex crack topologies. This can be overcome by diffusive crack modeling, based on the introduction of a crack phase field as outlined in [1, 2]. Following these formulations, we outline a thermodynamically consistent framework for phase field models of crack propagation in elastic solids, develop incremental variational principles and, as an extension to [1, 2], consider their numerical implementations by an efficient h-adaptive finite element method. A key problem of the phase field formulation is the mesh density, which is required for the resolution of the diffusive crack patterns. To this end, we embed the computational framework into an adaptive mesh refinement strategy that resolves the fracture process zones. We construct a configurational-force-based framework for h-adaptive finite element discretizations of the gradient-type diffusive fracture model. We develop a staggered computational scheme for the solution of the coupled balances in physical and material space. The balance in the material space is then used to set up indicators for the quality of the finite element mesh and accounts for a subsequent h-type mesh refinement. The capability of the proposed method is demonstrated by means of a numerical example. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Phase Field Modeling of Brittle and Ductile Fracture

The phase field modeling of brittle fracture was a topic of intense research in the last few years and is now well-established. We refer to the work [1-3], where a thermodynamically consistent framework was developed. The main advantage is that the phase-field-type diffusive crack approach is a smooth continuum formulation which avoids the modeling of discontinuities and can be implemented in a straightforward manner by multi-field finite element methods. Therefore complex crack patterns including branching can be resolved easily. In this paper, we extend the recently outlined phase field model of brittle crack propagation [1-3] towards the analysis of ductile fracture in elastic-plastic solids. In particular, we propose a formulation that is able to predict the brittle-to-ductile failure mode transition under dynamic loading that was first observed in experiments by Kalthoff and Winkler [4]. To this end, we outline a new thermodynamically consistent framework for phase field models of crack propagation in ductile elastic-plastic solids under dynamic loading, develop an incremental variational principle and consider its robust numerical implementation by a multi-field finite element method. The performance of the proposed phase field formulation of fracture is demonstrated by means of the numerical simulation of the classical Kalthoff-Winkler experiment that shows the dynamic failure mode transition. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Material models in principal stretches for elastodynamics

In the present work we deal with the conserving integration of elastic bodies undergoing finite deformations. In particular, we make use of constitutive laws formulated in terms of principal stretches. Most material models for hyperelastic isotropic materials are described in terms of principal stretches (Simo and Taylor [1]), like the Neo–Hooke material which is a special case of the Ogden material, or in invariants. The main advantage of principal stretches is the fact that they can be measured directly, which means that the numerical results can be compared easily with experimental ones, see for example, Ogden [2]. Moreover, it is advantageous to describe viscoelastic material behaviour (e.g. rubberlike materials) in terms of principal stretches. Concerning the discretization in space we apply the enhanced assumed strain (EAS) method, see Simo and Armero [3]. For the discretization in time we aim at numerical integrators which inherit fundamental conservation laws from the underlying continuous system. In particular, we propose an energy and momentum conserving time–stepping scheme which relies on the notion of a discrete gradient (or derivative) in the sense of Gonzalez [4]. The proposed approach starts from our previous developments in [5]. Numerical examples demonstrate the advantageous properties of the present formulation. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Towards Phase Field Modeling of Ductile Fracture in Gradient-Extended Elastic-Plastic Solids

The modeling of failure in ductile metals must account for complex phenomena at a micro-scale as well as the final rupture at the macro-scale. Within a top-down viewpoint, this can be achieved by the combination of a micro-structure-informed elastic-plastic model with a concept for the modeling of macroscopic crack discontinuities. In this context, it is important to account for material length scales and thermo-mechanical coupling effects due to dissipative heating. This can be achieved by the construction of non-standard, gradient-enhanced models of plasticity with a full embedding into continuum thermodynamics [1,2]. The modeling of macroscopic cracks can be achieved in a convenient way by recently developed continuum phase field approaches to fracture based on regularized crack discontinuities. This avoids the use of complex discretization methods for crack discontinuities, and can account for complex crack patterns within a pure continuum formulation. Moreover, the phase field modeling of fracture is related to gradient theories of continuum damage mechanics, and fits nicely the structure of constitutive models for gradient plasticity. The main focus of this work is the extensions to gradient thermoplasticity and phase field formulation of ductile fracture, conceptually in line with the work [3]. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Phase-field approach to fracture for finite-deformation contact problems

The present contribution deals with a variationally consistent Mortar contact algorithm applied to a phase-field fracture approach for finite deformations, see [4]. A phase-field approach to fracture allows for the numerical simulation of complex fracture patterns for three dimensional problems, extended recently to finite deformations (see [2] for more details). In a nutshell, the phase-field approach relies on a regularization of the sharp (fracture-) interface. In order to improve the accuracy, a fourth-order Cahn-Hilliard phase-field equation is considered, requiring global C¹ continuity (see [1]), which will be dealt with using an isogeometrical analysis (IGA) framework. Additionally, a newly developed hierarchical refinement scheme is applied to resolve for local physical phenomena e.g. the contact zone (see [3] for more details). The Mortar method is a modern and very accurate numerical method to implement contact boundaries. This approach can be extended in a straightforward manner to transient phase-field fracture problems. The performance of the proposed methods will be examined in a representative numerical example. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A Phase Field Model for Ductile to Brittle Failure Mode Transition

The computational modeling of failure mechanisms in solids due to fracture based on sharp crack discontinuities suffers in dynamic problems with complex crack topologies. This can be overcome by a diffusive crack modeling based on the introduction of a crack phase field. We outline a conceptual framework for phase field models of crack propagation in brittle elastic and ductile elastic-plastic solids under dynamic loading and investigate the ductile to brittle failure mode transition observed in the experiment performed by Kalthoff and Winkeler [3]. We develop incremental variational principles and consider their numerical implementations by multi-field finite element methods. To this end, we define energy storage and dissipation functions for the plastic flow including the fracture phase field. The introduction of local history fields that drive the evolution of the crack phase field inspires the construction of robust operator split schemes. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Application of Material Forces to Hyperelastodynamics

In the framework of numerical simulation, the analysis of fracture and damage mechanisms play an increasing role. In this context, the configurational force method is an useful tool for investigating structures with the finite element method [1] to predict the material behaviour more precisely. In this paper, we discuss the configurational forces in the context of high strain rate loaded hyperelastic structures [6]. Balance of momentum in the material space and the weak formulation are shown with focus on the explicite finite element method. Finally, an application will be presented based on a detailed treatment of structures subjected to short time loading. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On a hyperbolic conservation law of electron transport in solid materials for electron probe microanalysis

The prediction of X-ray intensities based on the distribution of electrons throughout solid materials is essential to solve the inverse problem of quantifying the composition of materials in electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) [3]. We present a hyperbolic conservation law for electron transport in solid materials and investigate its validity under conditions typical for EPMA experiments. The conservation law is based on the time-stationary Boltzmann equation for binary electron-atom scattering. We model the energy loss of the electrons with a continuous slowing-down approximation. A first order moment approximation with respect to the angular variable is discussed. We propose to use a minimum entropy closure to derive a system of hyperbolic conservation laws, known as the M1 model [11]. A finite volume scheme for the numerical solution of the resulting equations is presented. Important numerical aspects of the scheme are discussed, such as bounds for the finite propagation speeds, as well as difficulties arising fromspatial discontinuities in thematerial coefficients and the scaling of the characteristic velocities with the stopping power of the electrons.We compare the accuracy and performance of the numerical solution of the hyperbolic conservation law to Monte Carlo simulations. The results indicate a reasonable accuracy of the proposed method and showthat compared to the MonteCarlo simulation the finite volume scheme is computationally less expensive.     

Ductile failure with gradient plasticity coupled to the phase-field fracture at finite strains

Most metals fail in a ductile fashion, i.e, fracture is preceded by significant plastic deformation. The modeling of failure in ductile metals must account for complex phenomena at micro-scale, such as nucleation, growth and coalescence of micro-voids. In this work, we start with von-Mises plasticity model without considering void generation. The modeling of macroscopic cracks can be achieved in a convenient way by the continuum phase field approaches to fracture, which are based on the regularization of sharp crack discontinuities [1]. This avoids the use of complex discretization methods for crack discontinuities and can account for complex crack patterns. The key aspect of this work is the extension of the energetic and the stress-based phase field driving force function in brittle fracture to account for a coupled elasto-plastic response in line with our recent work [3]. We develop a new theoretical and computational framework for the phase field modeling of ductile fracture in elastic-plastic solids. To account for large strains, the constitutive model is constructed in the logarithmic strain space, which simplify the model equations and results in a formulation similar to small strains. We demonstrate the modeling capabilities and algorithmic performance of the proposed formulation by representative simulations of ductile failure mechanisms in metals. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On the natural Fiber (Maize) Composite material

This work is focused on the compressive behavior in the elastic region of a composite material made out of stalk-based maize fiber and unsaturated polyester resin polymer as matrix with methyl ethyl ketone peroxide as a catalyst and Cobalt Octoate as a promoter [1]. Deformation and fracture behavior are investigated by using Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM). XFEM enables the accurate approximation of solutions with jumps, discontinuities or general high gradients across interfaces between the fibers and the matrix [2], [3]. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Modeling of microscopic failure in heterogeneous materials

The proper modeling of state-of-the-art engineering materials requires a profound understanding of the nonlinear macroscopic material behavior. Especially for heterogeneous materials the effective macroscopic response is amongst others driven by damage effects and the inelastic material behavior of the individual constituents [1]. Since the macroscopic length scale of such materials is significantly larger than the fine-scale structure, a direct modeling of the local structure in a component model is not convenient. Multiscale techniques can be used to predict the effective material behavior. To this end, the authors developed a modeling technique based on representative volume elements (RVE) to predict the effective material behavior on different length scales. The extended finite element method (XFEM) is used to model discontinuities within the material structure independent of the underlying FE mesh. A dual enrichment strategy allows for the combined modeling of kinks (material interfaces) and jumps (cracks) within the displacement field [2]. The gradual degradation of the interface is thereby controlled by a cohesive zone model. In addition to interface failure, a non-local strain driven continuum damage model has been formulated to efficiently detect localization zones within the material phases. An integral formulation introduces a characteristic length scale and assures the convergence of the approach upon mesh refinement [3]. The proposed method allows for an efficient modeling of substantial failure mechanisms within a heterogeneous structure without the need of remeshing or element substitution. Due to the generality of the approach it can be used on different length scales. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A difference scheme with anti-diffusion terms to improve the computation of contact discontinuities and the study of weak discontinuities in compressible flow

The investigation of Mach reflection formed after the impingement of a weak plane shock wave on a wedge with shock Mach number M_s near 1, is still an open problem[12]. It's difficult for shock tube experiments with interferometer to detect contact discontinuities if it is too weak; also difficult to catch with due accuracy the transition condition between Mach reflection and regular reflection. The interest to this phenomenon is continuing, especially for weak shocks, because there was systematic discrepancy between simplified three shock theory of von Neumann [8] and shock tube results [15] which was named by G. Birkhoff as “von Neumann Paradox on three shock theory” [18].In 1972, K.O.Friedrichs called for more computational efforts on this problem. Recently it is known that for weak impinging shocks it's still difficult to get contact discontinuities and curved Mach stem with satisfactory accuracy. Recent numerical computation sometimes even fails to show reflected shock wave[6]. These explain why von Neumann paradox of the three shock theory in case of weak discontinuities is still a problem of interesting [9,12,14]. In this paper, on one hand, we investigate the numerical methods for Euler's equation for compressible inviscid flow, aiming at improving the computation of contact discontinuities, on the other hand, a methodology is suggested to correctly plot flow data from the massive information in storage. On this basis, all the reflected shock wave , contact discontinuities and the curved Mach stem are determined. We get Mach reflection under the condition when over-simplified shock theory predicts no such configuration[5].     

A Finite Element Approach for the Simulation of Quasi-Brittle Fracture

In the context of a strong discontinuity approach, we propose a finite element formulation with an embedded displacement discontinuity. The basic assumption of the proposed approach is the additive split of the total displacement field in a continuous and a discontinuous part. An arbitrary crack splits the linear triangular finite element into two parts, namely a triangular and a quadrilateral part. The discontinuous part of the displacement field in the quadrilateral portion is approximated using linear shape functions. For these purposes, the quadrilateral portion is divided into two triangular parts which is in this way similar to the approach proposed in [5]. In contrast, the discretisation is different compared to formulations proposed in [1] and [3], where the discontinuous part of the displacement field is approximated using bilinear shape functions. The basic theory of the underlying finite element formulation and a cohesive interface model to simulate brittle fracture are presented. By means of representative numerical examples differences and similarities of the present formulation and the formulations proposed in [1] and [3] are highlighted. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

拟牛顿流的一种三变量域模型的有限元方法的数值分析

0．引言目前，涉及高温条件下材料蠕变性质的粘弹性流动问题已引起人们广泛的研究兴趣，不少文章讨论了如何对其进行数值求解（见［1］－－［41），首先，人们研究了较简单的仅以速度，压力两个变量来表述此现象的模型问题（如［1，2］）等．鉴于应力变量在材料性质方面的特殊重要性，最近J．Baxanzer等人在［3］中首次对应力满足幂函数规律的蠕变流研究了包含应力、速度和压力三种变量的模型问题的有限元逼近，当粘性的牛顿部分为零时（详见下述）在假定速度与应力、速度与压力有限元空间之间同时满足两种＊＊B条件以后，证明了有限元解…     

Advanced Shell Element Formulations for Coupled Electromechanical Systems

With the significantly increasing applications of smart structures, piezoelectric material is widely used in branches of engineering sciences. Normally, the Finite Element Method is employed in the numerical analysis of these structures [2]. In this contribution, in order to avoid the locking effects and zero energy modes, the Assumed Natural Strain (ANS) Method [4] is implemented into four‐node piezoelectric shallow shell elements, by using the two‐field variational formulation in which displacements and electric potentials serve as independent variables and the three‐field variational formulation in which the dielectric displacement is taken as an independent variable additionally [3]. Moreover, a quadratic variation of the electric potential through the thickness direction is applied in the two‐field formulation. Numerical examples of piezoelectric sensors and actuators are presented, showing the behaviour of the shell elements by using different hybrid finite element formulations. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Finite strain inelasticity for isotropy,a simple and efficient finite element formulation

We consider a formulation of associative isotropic J₂‐elastoplasticity at finite inelastic strains and aspects of its numerical implementation. The essential ingredients include the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient in elastic and inelastic parts, the definition of a convex elastic domain in stress space and a material representation of the constitutive equations for general non‐Cartesian coordinate charts. On the numerical side we propose a stress update algorithm for elasto‐plastic response, including isotropic hardening. The finite element formulation is based on assumed strain and enhanced strain variational principles, for a complete outline see [3]. Remarkably the formulation is very similar to the case of infinitesimal plasticity: (i) The scheme of linear return mapping algorithm takes the form of standard return mapping of the infinitesimal theory for the case of isotropic elastic response. (ii) The algorithmic elastoplastic moduli have a similar structure as in the linear case. Together with an exact fulfillment of plastic incompressibility by means of a simple correction one achieves an advantageously efficient finite element formulation. Its performance is documented by a numerical example.     

Deformation Driven Homogenization of Fracturing Solids

The paper discusses numerical formulations of the homogenization for solids with discrete crack development. We focus on multi–phase microstructures of heterogeneous materials, where fracture occurs in the form of debonding mechanisms as well as matrix cracking. The definition of overall properties critically depends on the developing discontinuities. To this end, we extend continuous formulations [1] to microstructures with discontinuities [2]. The basic underlying structure is a canonical variational formulation in the fully nonlinear range based on incremental energy minimization. We develop algorithms for numerical homogenization of fracturing solids in a deformation–driven context with non–trivial formulations of boundary conditions for (i) linear deformation and (ii) uniform tractions. The overall response of composite materials with fracturing microstructures are investigated. As a key result, we show the significance of the proposed non–trivial formulation of a traction–type boundary condition in the deformation–driven context. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A phase field model for fracture

The variational formulation of brittle fracture as formulated for example by Francfort and Marigo in [1], where the total energy is minimized with respect to any admissible crack set and displacement field, allows the identification of crack paths, branching of preexisting cracks and even crack initiation without additional criteria. For its numerical treatment a continuous approximation of the model in the sense of Γ-convergence has been presented by Bourdin in [2]. In the regularized Francfort–Marigo model cracks are represented by an additional field variable (secondary variable) s∈[0,1] which is 0 if the material is cracked and 1 if it is undamaged. In this work, we reinterpret the crack variable as a phase field order parameter and address cracking as a phase transition problem. The crack growth is governed by the evolution equation of the order parameter which resembles the Ginzburg–Landau equation. The numerical treatment is done by finite elements combined with an implicit Euler scheme for the time integration. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Modeling of fiber-reinforced PMMA at different scales

This paper deals with the modeling of fiber-reinforced PMMA. Focus is on the macroscopic mechanical response with emphasis on the fracture properties such as the ultimate strength and the fracture energy. In order to capture the macroscopic mechanical response of PMMA, a finite element formulation is presented. While the elastic response of the fibres and that of the surrounding matrix are modelled in standard manner, i.e., by standard bulk material models, the relevant failure modes such as cracking of the fibres are accounted for by means of the so-called Strong Discontinuity Approach (SDA). Since the fibres are relatively small, their fracture mechanical properties crucially depend on their geometry, i.e., they show a pronounced size effect. Based on numerical analyses of fibres with different geometries, the aforementioned size effect is naturally incorporated into the formulation [1]. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)