A Continuous–Discontinuous Approach to Simulate Heat Transfer in Fractured Media

A macroscopic framework to model heat transfer in materials and composites, subjected to physical degradation, is proposed. The framework employs the partition of unity concept and captures the change from conduction-dominated transfer in the initial continuum state to convection and radiation-dominated transfer in the damaged state. The underlying model can be directly linked to a mechanical cohesive zone model, governing the initiation and subsequent growth and coalescence of micro-cracks. The methodology proved to be applicable for quasi-static, periodic, and transient problems.