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Numerical evaluation of the phase-field model for brittle fracture with emphasis on the length scale

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Abstract

The phase-field model has been attracting considerable attention due to its capability of capturing complex crack propagations without mesh dependence. However, its validation studies have primarily focused on the ability to predict reasonable, sharply defined crack paths. Very limited works have so far been contributed to estimate its accuracy in predicting force responses, which is majorly attributed to the difficulty in the determination of the length scale. Indeed, accurate crack path simulation can be achieved by setting the length scale to be sufficiently small, whereas a very small length scale may lead to unrealistic force-displacement responses and overestimate critical structural loads. This paper aims to provide a critical numerical investigation of the accuracy of phase-field modelling of brittle fracture with special emphasis on a possible formula for the length scale estimation. Phase-field simulations of a number of classical fracture experiments for brittle fracture in concretes are performed with simulated results compared with experimental data qualitatively and quantitatively to achieve this goal. Furthermore, discussions are conducted with the aim to provide guidelines for the application of the phase-field model.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the support of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical Science and Engineering and the Australian Research Council Discovery Project funding scheme (Project Number DP150104257).

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  1. ARC Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical Science and Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia

    Xue Zhang, Chet Vignes, Scott W. Sloan & Daichao Sheng

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  1. Xue Zhang
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Correspondence to Xue Zhang.

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Zhang, X., Vignes, C., Sloan, S.W. et al. Numerical evaluation of the phase-field model for brittle fracture with emphasis on the length scale. Comput Mech 59, 737–752 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00466-017-1373-8

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