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Discrete element model for crack propagation in brittle materials
Author(s) -
Le Ba Danh,
Koval Georg,
Chazallon Cyrille
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal for numerical and analytical methods in geomechanics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.419
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1096-9853
pISSN - 0363-9061
DOI - 10.1002/nag.2417
Subject(s) - fracture mechanics , isotropy , stress intensity factor , brittleness , fracture toughness , finite element method , structural engineering , materials science , consistency (knowledge bases) , toughness , discrete element method , stress (linguistics) , convergence (economics) , mechanics , mathematics , composite material , geometry , engineering , physics , linguistics , philosophy , quantum mechanics , economics , economic growth
Summary We propose a discrete element model for brittle rupture. The material consists of a bidimensional set of closed‐packed particles in contact. We explore the isotropic elastic behavior of this regular structure to derive a rupture criterion compatible to continuum mechanics. We introduce a classical criterion of mixed mode crack propagation based on the value of the stress intensity factors, obtained by the analysis of two adjacent contacts near a crack tip. Hence, the toughness becomes a direct parameter of the model, without any calibration procedure. We verify the consistency of the formulation as well as its convergence by comparison with theoretical solutions of tensile cracks, a pre‐cracked beam, and an inclined crack under biaxial stress. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.