Author(s)

S.R. Pant & A.V. Dyskin

Abstract

Direct modelling technique is used to study crack growth in compression from an inclined shear crack and a pore based on a finite difference code FLAC. In this modelling the microstructure is represented by finite elements. Fractures are treated as sequences of elements with largely reduced or zero moduli. Crack propagation is simulated by the removal of the element at which the failure criterion is satisfied by setting it to the null element. We used a natural crack propagation criterion: the crack propagates when the major principal stress at the element at the crack tip exceeds the local tensile strength. The numerical results are compared with analytical LEFM solutions in which the influence of free surface on crack propagation is accounted for by the method of dipole asymptotics. Keywords: microst

Keywords