A phase field method with adaptive refinement strategy and virtual crack insertion technique. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Wenqiang; Li, Hanzhang; Li, Yu; Wang, Teng; Lu, Shenghua; Qiang, Sheng; Hua, Xia
• Is Part Of: Engineering fracture mechanics. Volume 271(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Phase field method -- Adaptive mesh strategy -- Virtual crack -- Crack propagation; Fracture mechanics -- Periodicals; Rupture, Mécanique de la -- Périodiques; Fracture mechanics; Periodicals; 620.112605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2022.108669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-7944

Abstract

Highlights: A novel adaptive mesh refinement strategy is specially developed for phase-field method for fracture. The virtual crack insertion technique is proposed to simplify the mesh process. Phase-field method with the combination of the two techniques is demonstrated applicable and efficient on 2-D and 3-D cases. Abstract: In this paper a novel adaptive refinement strategy, which features no hanging nodes or hybrid elements generated, is proposed for phase-field model to realize the refinement of 2-D quadrilateral elements. The strategy is implemented and proved the capacity of enhancing efficiency in calculation. Meanwhile, the virtual crack insertion technique is developed to simplify mesh generation process in 2-D and 3-D phase-field based fracture models. The technique is also proved to be robust in simulating the initial crack with trial on benchmark examples. The applicability of phase-field method with novel adaptive refinement strategy and virtual crack insertion technique for fracture is demonstrated by numerical experiments of 2-D models containing single and multiple cracks. The work shows great promise in engineering application. In addition, mode I-II-III fracture can be well simulated with virtual crack insertion technique. Therefore, virtual crack is recommended on fracture simulation of 3-D problems for convenient mesh generation and higher computational efficiency.