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Finite element modelling of internal and multiple localized cracks

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Abstract

Tracking algorithms constitute an efficient numerical technique for modelling fracture in quasi-brittle materials. They succeed in representing localized cracks in the numerical model without mesh-induced directional bias. Currently available tracking algorithms have an important limitation: cracking originates either from the boundary of the discretized domain or from predefined “crack-root” elements and then propagates along one orientation. This paper aims to circumvent this drawback by proposing a novel tracking algorithm that can simulate cracking starting at any point of the mesh and propagating along one or two orientations. This enhancement allows the simulation of structural case-studies experiencing multiple cracking. The proposed approach is validated through the simulation of a benchmark example and an experimentally tested structural frame under in-plane loading. Mesh-bias independency of the numerical solution, computational cost and predicted collapse mechanisms with and without the tracking algorithm are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This research has received the financial support from the MINECO (Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad of the Spanish Government) and the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) through the the MULTIMAS project (Multiscale techniques for the experimental and numerical analysis of the reliability of masonry structures, ref. num. BIA2015-63882-P) and the EACY project (Enhanced accuracy computational and experimental framework for strain localization and failure mechanisms, ref. MAT 2013-48624-C2-1-P). The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Fulvio Parisi for providing information regarding the experimental data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Catalonia, UPC-BarcelonaTech, Jordi Girona 1-3, 08034, Barcelona, Spain

    Savvas Saloustros, Luca Pelà, Miguel Cervera & Pere Roca

  2. International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE), Gran Capità, S/N, 08034, Barcelona, Spain

    Savvas Saloustros, Luca Pelà, Miguel Cervera & Pere Roca

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  1. Savvas Saloustros
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  2. Luca Pelà
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Correspondence to Savvas Saloustros.

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Saloustros, S., Pelà, L., Cervera, M. et al. Finite element modelling of internal and multiple localized cracks. Comput Mech 59, 299–316 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00466-016-1351-6

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