A stochastic damage model for the rupture prediction of a multi-phase solid

Abstract

The stochastic damage model, which has been proposed in Part I of this paper, is utilized to analyze quantitatively the effects of uncertainties in locations, orientations and numbers of microcracks at the macro-tip. This is accomplished by introducing a computer simulation model which incorporates a statistical characterization of geometrical parameters of a random microcrack array. The counteracting effects of microcracking on the fracture toughness, namely, toughness enhancement and toughness degradation, are explored statistically through the change of the location and size of the near tip damage zone. The effects of changes in the geometric configuration and density of microcracks at the macro-tip are also examined through the present statistical approach. The validity of the present model is verified by comparing the obtained statistical distribution with the analytic model based on the Neville distribution function. A very good fit achieved by the use of the Neville function demonstrates the potential of the present damage model, in predicting the inherent statistical distribution of the fracture toughness from the intrinsic random microdefects.