Modelling of dynamic ductile fracture and application to the simulation of plate impact tests on tantalum

A model of dynamic damage by void nucleation and growth is proposed for elastic-viscoplastic materials sustaining intense loading. The model is dedicated to ductile materials for which fracture is caused by microvoiding. The material contains potential nucleation sites where microvoids are generated when the local pressure overcomes the nucleation pressure. A probability density function is adopted to describe the fluctuation of the nucleation pressure within the material. The void growth is described by using a hollow sphere model where micro-inertia effects are accounted for. The matrix weakening due to void growth is also included.The model has been first tested under uniaxial deformation. When the strain rate is assumed constant, the pressure inside the material has nearly a linear response up to a maximum. An analytical expression for the maximum pressure is proposed.Finite element simulations of plate impact tests have been carried out and compared to experiments on tantalum. From simulations based on the proposed model, an increase of the spall strength is observed with higher shock intensities. Therefore, the relationship between the velocity pullback and spall strength usually assumed in the literature (based on the acoustic approach) seems to be inadequate. Velocity profiles are simulated for different flyer thicknesses and different impact velocities with close agreement with experiments.     

The dynamic growth of a single void in a viscoplastic material under transient hydrostatic loading

We have examined the problem of the dynamic growth of a single spherical void in an elastic-viscoplastic medium, with a view towards addressing a number of problems that arise during the dynamic failure of metals. Particular attention is paid to inertial, thermal and rate-dependent effects, which have not previously been thoroughly studied in a combined setting. It is shown that the critical stress for unstable growth of the void in the quasistatic case is strongly affected by the thermal softening of the material (in adiabatic calculations). Thermal softening has the effect of lowering the critical stress, and has a stronger influence at high strain hardening exponents. It is shown that the thermally diffusive case for quasistatic void growth in rate-dependent materials is strongly affected by the initial void size, because of the length scale introduced by the thermal diffusion. The effects of inertia are quantified, and it is demonstrated that inertial effects are small in the early stages of void growth and are strongly dependent on the initial size of the void and the rate of loading. Under supercritical loading for the inertial problem, voids of all sizes achieve a constant absolute void growth rate in the long term. Inertia first impedes, but finally promotes dynamic void growth under a subcritical loading. For dynamic void growth, the effect of rate-hardening is to reduce the rate of void growth in comparison to the rate-independent case, and to reduce the final relative void growth achieved.     

Evidence for shock wave effect of meteoritic impact

There is material evidence for the existence of shock waves generated by meteoritic impact. This is demonstrated by the pressure and temperature dependent formation processes that exist in the memory of constituent minerals. Stishovite of high-pressure type silica mineral can be observed to be a relict of the compression stage of shock impact. Almost all of the silica minerals evolved from shock impact phenomena are -quartz crystals of a low-temperature type silica polymorph. By using precise measurements of cell parameters and the corresponding calculated density of the quartz crystal grains collected by an ultrasonic cutter method, shocked quartz grains can be interpreted as the principle relict of meteoritic impact from natural impact craters, artificial impact craters and Cretaceous-Tertiary (K/T) boundary samples.This article was processed using Springer-Verlag T_EX Shock Waves macro package 1990.     

An interacting micro-crack damage model for failure of brittle materials under compression

A model is developed for brittle failure under compressive loading with an explicit accounting of micro-crack interactions. The model incorporates a pre-existing flaw distribution in the material. The macroscopic inelastic deformation is assumed to be due to the nucleation and growth of tensile “wing” micro-cracks associated with frictional sliding on these flaws. Interactions among the cracks are modeled by means of a crack-matrix-effective-medium approach in which each crack experiences a stress field different from that acting on isolated cracks. This yields an effective stress intensity factor at the crack tips which is utilized in the formulation of the crack growth dynamics. Load-induced damage in the material is defined in terms of a scalar crack density parameter, the evolution of which is a function of the existing flaw distribution and the crack growth dynamics. This methodology is applied for the case of uniaxial compression under constant strain rate loading. The model provides a natural prediction of a peak stress (defined as the compressive strength of the material) and also of a transition strain rate, beyond which the compressive strength increases dramatically with the imposed strain rate. The influences of the crack growth dynamics, the initial flaw distribution, and the imposed strain rate on the constitutive response and the damage evolution are studied. It is shown that different characteristics of the flaw distribution are dominant at different imposed strain rates: at low rates the spread of the distribution is critical, while at high strain rates the total flaw density is critical.     

Constitutive behaviour of anisotropic materials under shock loading

Thermodynamically and mathematically consistent constitutive equations suitable for shock wave propagation in an anisotropic material are presented in this paper. Two fundamental tensors α_ij and β_ij which represent anisotropic material properties are defined and can be considered as generalisations of the Kronecker delta symbol, which plays the main role in the theory of isotropic materials. Using two fundamental tensors α_ij and β_ij, the concept of total generalised “pressure” and pressure corresponding to the thermodynamic (equation of state) response are redefined. The equation of state represents mathematical and physical generalisation of the classical Mie–Grüneisen equation of state for isotropic material and reduces to the Mie–Grüneisen equation of state in the limit of isotropy. Based on the generalised decomposition of the stress tensor, the modified equation of state for anisotropic materials, and the modified Hill criteria, combined with the associated flow rule, a system of constitutive equations suitable for shock wave propagation is formulated. The behaviour of aluminium alloy 7010-T6 under shock loading conditions is considered. A comparison of numerical simulations with existing experimental data shows good agreement of the general pulse shape, Hugoniot Elastic Limits (HELs), and Hugoniot stress levels, and suggests that the constitutive equations are performing satisfactorily. The results are presented and discussed, and future studies are outlined.     

An experimental method for determining dynamic fracture toughness

The boundary and loading conditions in many dynamic fracture test methods are frequently not well defined and, therefore, introduce a degree of uncertainty in the modeling of the experiment to extract the dynamic fracture resistance for a rapidly propagating crack. A new dynamic fracture test method is presented that overcomes many of these difficulties. In this test, a precracked, three-point bend specimen is loaded by a transmitter bar that is impacted by a striker bar fired from a gas gun. Different levels of energy can be imparted to the specimen by varying the speed and length of the striker to induce different crack growth rates in the material. The specimen is instrumented with a crack ladder gage, crack-opening displacement gage and strain gages to develop requisite data to determine toughness. Typical data for AISI 4340 steel specimen are presented. A simple quasi-dynamic analysis model for deducing the fracture toughness for a running crack from these data is presented, and the results are compared with independent measurements.     

Coarse-graining atomistic dynamics of brittle fracture by finite element method

In this work we present the finite element (FE) implementation of an atomistic formulation of balance equations and its application to coarse-grained (CG) simulation of dynamic fracture. First, we simulate a notched specimen that contains about 1.8 million atoms by the CG-FE method, and we compare the CG-FE results with that by all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We find that CG-FE simulations with about 5% degrees of freedom of the MD simulation can capture the essential dynamic features, not in exact correspondence, but qualitatively and quantitatively similar to that obtained by MD simulations. We then proceed to simulate a series of micron-sized specimens by the CF-FE method. We find that it is the interaction of the forward propagating crack with the stress waves being reflected back by the boundaries of the specimen that triggers the dynamic instability and hence the branching of cracks in micron-sized specimens. The potential application of the method and future work for improvements are discussed.     

Effect of rock shapes on brittle fracture using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics

Breakage of rocks or particulates plays a major role in various industries, such as mineral and ore processing. Many of the processes used for fracturing materials in these industries have the requirement to produce specified size and/or shape of the products. Numerical modelling can assist in understanding and predicting complex fracture processes, and can be used in designing the equipment and setting the process parameters to ensure desired product quality. In this paper, a mesh-free numerical method, called Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), is extended to predict impact fracture of rocks. SPH is a particle based Lagrangian method which is particularly suited to the analysis of fracture due to its capacity to model large deformation and track the free surfaces generated. A continuum damage model is used to predict the fracture of rocks. Evolution of damage is predicted using the strain history of each particle. Damage inhibits the transmission of tensile stress between particles, and once it reaches unity, the particle is unable to transmit tensile stress, resulting in a macro-crack. Connected macro-cracks lead to complete fragmentation.Firstly, an Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) test under uniaxial compression of a rock sample is modelled using SPH and compared against experiments to validate the capability of SPH for prediction of fracture in rocks. The SPH prediction matched the well-known experimentally observed diagonal fracture pattern. SPH is subsequently used to simulate brittle fracture of rocks during impact. Rock specimens of different shapes are examined to determine the effects of shape on both the fracture pattern and the energy dissipation during impact fracture. Rock shape is found to have considerable influence on the fracture process, fragment sizes, energy dissipation, and post-fracture motion of the fragments.     

A variational approach to the fracture of brittle thin films subject to out-of-plane loading

We address the problem of fracture in homogenous linear elastic thin films using a variational model. We restrict our attention to quasi-static problems assuming that kinetic effects are minimal. We focus on out-of-plane displacement of the film and investigate the effect of bending on fracture. Our analysis is based on a two-dimensional model where the thickness of the film does not need to be resolved. We derive this model through a formal asymptotic analysis. We present numerical simulations in a highly idealized setting for the purpose of verification, as well as more realistic micro-indentation experiments.     

Computational micromechanics of dynamic compressive loading of a brittle polycrystalline material using a distribution of grain boundary properties

A two-dimensional finite element model is used to investigate compressive loading of a brittle ceramic. Intergranular cracking in the microstructure is captured explicitly by using a distribution of cohesive interfaces. The addition of confining stress increases the maximum strength and if high enough, can allow the effective material response to reach large strains before failure. Increasing the friction at the grain boundaries also increases the maximum strength until saturation of the strength is approached. Above a transitional strain rate, increasing the rate-of-deformation also increases the strength and as the strain rate increases, fragment sizes of the damaged specimen decrease. The effects of flaws within the specimen were investigated using a random distribution at various initial flaw densities. The model is able to capture an effective modulus change and degradation of strength as the initial flaw density increases. Effects of confinement, friction, and spatial distribution of flaws seem to depend on the crack coalescence and dilatation of the specimen, while strain-rate effects are result of inertial resistance to motion.     

致密砂岩巷道模型试件动态起裂及止裂全过程分析

为了开展在不同冲击载荷作用下巷道围岩内裂纹的起裂、扩展及止裂等问题,以可调速冲击试验机进行动态加载试验,采用致密青砂岩制作裂纹巷道模型试件,并利用裂纹扩展计分别记录了动态起裂、扩展、止裂等时刻,对裂纹扩展速度的变化规律进行分析;随后采用AUTODYN有限差分法软件进行相应的数值模拟,数值模拟得到的裂纹扩展路径与试验结果基本一致。经过两者对比分析可知:随着冲击载荷作用的增加,裂纹平均扩展速度逐渐增大,随后趋于稳定值;预制裂纹的起裂时间随着冲击速度载荷的增加而逐渐降低,并在稳定值上下波动;随着冲击速度载荷的增加,裂纹扩展路径过程中的止裂时段逐渐变短。     

Dynamic fracture toughness of high strength metals under impact loading: increase or decrease

An elusive phenomenon is observed in previous investigations on dynamic fracture that the dynamic fracture toughness(DFT) of high strength metals always increases with the loading rate on the order of TPa.m 1 /2.s 1.For the purpose of verification,variation of DFT with the loading rate for two high strength steels commonly used in the aviation industry,30CrMnSiA and 40Cr,is studied in this work.Results of the experiments are compared,which were conducted on the modified split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB) apparatus,with striker velocities ranging from 9.2 to 24.1 m/s and a constant value of 16.3 m/s for 30CrMnSiA and 40Cr,respectively.It is observed that for 30CrMnSiA,the crack tip loading rate increases with the increase of the striker velocity,while the fracture initiation time and the DFT simultaneously decrease.However,in the tests of 40Cr,there is also an increasing tendency of DFT,similar to other reports.Through an in-depth investigation on the relationship between the dynamic stress intensity factor(DSIF) and the loading rate,it is concluded that the generally increasing tendency in previous studies could be false,which is induced from a limited striker velocity domain and the errors existing in the experimental and numerical processes.To disclose the real dependency of DFT on the loading rate,experiments need to be performed in a comparatively large striker velocity range.     

Analysis of reinforced-concrete strength under impact loading

A mathematical model is proposed to describe deformation and fracture of reinforced concrete under impact loading within the framework of mechanics of continuous media. The problem of the impact of steel cylindrical projectiles on rectangular slabs made of reinforced concrete is solved. The results of mathematical modeling are in good agreement with experimental data. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 47, No. 6, pp. 165–173, November–December, 2006.     

Influence of lateral confinement on dynamic damage evolution during uniaxial compressive response of brittle solids

A dynamic damage growth model applicable to brittle solids subjected to biaxial compressive loading is developed. The model incorporates a dynamic fracture criterion based on wing-crack growth model with a damage evolution theory based on a distribution of pre-existing microcracks in a solid. Influences of lateral confinement pressure (dynamic or static) as well as frictional coefficient on the rate dependence of fracture strength of basalt-rock are investigated systematically. It is found that the failure strength, damage accumulation and wing-crack growth rate are strongly influenced by the nature and the magnitude of confinement pressure. It is also verified that the effect of strain rate on fracture strength of brittle solids is independent of confinement pressure in a certain range of strain rate.     

An experimental investigation of shock wave propagation in periodically layered composites

In heterogeneous media, scattering due to interfaces/microstructure between dissimilar materials could play an important role in shock wave dissipation and dispersion. In this work, the influence of interface scattering on finite-amplitude shock waves was experimentally investigated by impacting flyer plates onto periodically layered polycarbonate/6061 aluminum, polycarbonate/304 stainless steel and polycarbonate/glass composites. Experimental results (obtained using velocity interferometer and stress gage) show that these periodically layered composites can support steady structured shock waves. Due to interface scattering, the effective shock viscosity increases with the increase of interface impedance mismatch, and decreases with the increase of interface density (interface area per unit volume) and loading amplitude. For the composites studied here, the strain rate within the shock front is roughly proportional to the square of the shock stress. This indicates that layered composites have much larger shock viscosity due to the interface/microstructure scattering in comparison with the increase of shock strain rate by the fourth power of the shock stress for homogeneous metals. Experimental results also show that due to the scattering effects, shock propagation in the layered composites is dramatically slowed down and the shock speed in composites can be lower than that either of its components.     

脆性材料破坏模拟的网格生成算法

脆性材料的破坏过程具有随机性,当前的网格生成算法没有充分考虑脆性材料破坏时裂纹扩展和碎块生成的随机性。在Persson网格生成算法与Delaunay随机网格剖分理论基础上,提出了一种可根据模拟需要动态控制网格品质的网格生成算法。通过对随机分布点的Delauna三角化,生成初始网格,然后将网格体系比拟为桁架结构,网格节点即为桁架节点。桁架节点在虚拟力作用下可动态调整位置,并最终达到整个体系受力平衡。对Persson 算法中的尺寸分布函数和收敛条件进行了修正,从而提高了收敛速度,并适用于任意形状对象的网格剖分。 基于VC++平台开发了算法程序。通过实例对算法进行了验证,表明算法能够满足脆性材料破碎模拟的需要。     

3-D numerical simulation of fracture processes in heterogeneous brittle materials

By using the lattice model combined with finite element methods and statistical techniques, a numerical approach is developed to establish mechanical models of three-dimensional heterogeneous brittle materials. A special numerical code is introduced, in which a lattice model and statistical approaches are used to simulate the initial heterogeneity of material properties. The size of displacement-load step is adaptively determined so that only few elements would fail in each load step. When the tensile principal strain in an element exceeds the ultimate strain of this element, the element is considered broken and its Young's modulus is set to be very low. Some important behaviors of heterogeneous brittle materials are indicated using this code. Load-displacement curves and figures of three-dimensional fracture patterns are also numerically obtained, which are similar to those observed in laboratory tests.     

Multi-scale defect interactions in high-rate failure of brittle materials,Part II: Application to design of protection materials

Micromechanics based damage models, such as the model presented in Part I of this 2 part series (Tonge and Ramesh, 2015), have the potential to suggest promising directions for materials design. However, to reach their full potential these models must demonstrate that they capture the relevant physical processes. In this work, we apply the multiscale material model described in Tonge and Ramesh (2015) to ballistic impacts on the advanced ceramic boron carbide and suggest possible directions for improving the performance of boron carbide under impact conditions. We simulate both dynamic uniaxial compression and simplified ballistic loading geometries to demonstrate that the material model captures the relevant physics in these problems and to interrogate the sensitivity of the simulation results to some of the model input parameters. Under dynamic compression, we show that the simulated peak strength is sensitive to the maximum crack growth velocity and the flaw distribution, while the stress collapse portion of the test is partially influenced by the granular flow behavior of the fully damaged material. From simulations of simplified ballistic impact, we suggest that the total amount of granular flow (a possible performance metric) can be reduced by either a larger granular flow slope (more angular fragments) or a larger granular flow timescale (larger fragments). We then discuss the implications for materials design.     

Shock enhancement of cellular structures under impact loading: Part I Experiments

This paper aims at showing experimental proof of the existence of a shock front in cellular structures under impact loading, especially at low critical impact velocities around 50 m/s. First, an original testing procedure using a large diameter Nylon Hopkinson bar is introduced. With this large diameter soft Hopkinson bar, tests under two different configurations (pressure bar behind/ahead of the supposed shock front) at the same impact speed are used to obtain the force/time histories behind and ahead of the assumed shock front within the cellular material specimen.Stress jumps (up to 60% of initial stress level) as well as shock front speed are measured for tests at 55 m/s on Alporas foams and nickel hollow sphere agglomerates, whereas no significant shock enhancement is observed for Cymat foams and 5056 aluminium honeycombs. The corresponding rate sensitivity of the studied cellular structures is also measured and it is proven that it is not responsible for the sharp strength enhancement.A photomechanical measurement of the shock front speed is also proposed to obtain a direct experimental proof. The displacement and strain fields during the test are obtained by correlating images shot with a high speed camera. The strain field measurements at different times show that the shock front discontinuity propagates and allows for the measurement of the propagation velocity.All the experimental evidences enable us to confirm the existence of a shock front enhancement even at quite low impact velocities for a number of studied materials.