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Coupling Continuum Damage Mechanics and Discrete Fracture Models: A Geomechanics Perspective

  • Chloé F. Arson
  • , Wencheng Jin
  • , Haozhou He

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present numerical methods to simulate the propagation of discrete fractures embedded in a damaged zone. Continuum Damage Mechanics (CDM) models are implemented in a Finite Element (FE) analysis code. A damage threshold defines the beginning of micro-crack coalescence, when a discrete cohesive segment opens. First, Cohesive Zone (CZ) elements are inserted between volume elements. The length and orientation of the discrete fracture are controlled by the magnitude of the energy released at integration points. The fracture path highly depends on space discretization, but the damage threshold is calculated automatically upon CDM model calibration. Second, an eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM) approach is proposed. The fracture path is a function of the weighted average direction of maximum damage. Fracture growth depends on a nonlocal internal length, and the damage threshold is set empirically. Both coupling methods perform satisfactorily for simulating pure mode I or pure mode II fracture propagation resulting from micro-crack coalescence. However, the derivation of the Jacobian matrix in the XFEM makes it impractical to couple CDM and CZ models when the damaged stiffness cannot be expressed explicitly. For mixed mode fracture propagation and bifurcation problems, CZ insertion shows great promise, but mesh dependency and computational cost remain challenging.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationChallenges and Innovations in Geomechanics - Proceedings of the 16th International Conference of IACMAG - Volume 1
EditorsMarco Barla, Alice Di Donna, Donatella Sterpi
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages3-18
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)9783030645137
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Event16th International Conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics, IACMAG 2021 - Turin, Italy
Duration: May 5 2021May 8 2021

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume125
ISSN (Print)2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)2366-2565

Conference

Conference16th International Conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics, IACMAG 2021
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityTurin
Period05/5/2105/8/21

Keywords

  • Cohesive zone model
  • Continuum damage mechanics
  • Extended finite element method
  • Finite element method
  • Geomechanics
  • Multiscale coupling

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