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A three-dimensional FEM–DEM technique for predicting the evolution of fracture in geomaterials and concrete

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Abstract

This paper extends to three dimensions (3D), the computational technique developed by the authors in 2D for predicting the onset and evolution of fracture in a finite element mesh in a simple manner based on combining the finite element method and the discrete element method (DEM) approach (Zárate and Oñate in Comput Part Mech 2(3):301–314, 2015). Once a crack is detected at an element edge, discrete elements are generated at the adjacent element vertexes and a simple DEM mechanism is considered in order to follow the evolution of the crack. The combination of the DEM with simple four-noded linear tetrahedron elements correctly captures the onset of fracture and its evolution, as shown in several 3D examples of application.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the ICEBREAKER Proof of concept project of the European Research Council. Results presented in this work have been obtained using the FEM2DEM and DEMPACK codes of CIMNE (http://www.cimne.com/dempack) where the DEM–FEM methodology described has been implemented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre Internacional de Metodes Numerics a l’Enginyeria (CIMNE), Barcelona, Spain

    Francisco Zárate, Alejandro Cornejo & Eugenio Oñate

  2. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain

    Francisco Zárate, Alejandro Cornejo & Eugenio Oñate

Authors
  1. Francisco Zárate
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  2. Alejandro Cornejo
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  3. Eugenio Oñate
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Correspondence to Francisco Zárate.

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Zárate, F., Cornejo, A. & Oñate, E. A three-dimensional FEM–DEM technique for predicting the evolution of fracture in geomaterials and concrete. Comp. Part. Mech. 5, 411–420 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-017-0178-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-017-0178-z

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