Local/global model order reduction strategy for the simulation of quasi-brittle fracture

TL;DR

This paper introduces a local/global model order reduction method for simulating quasi-brittle fracture, focusing computational resources on damage zones to efficiently model failure propagation.

Contribution

It presents a novel local/global reduction technique combining Proper Orthogonal Decomposition with full resolution in damage zones for fracture simulation.

Findings

Efficient simulation of damage initiation and propagation.

Reduced computational cost in localized failure zones.

Circumvents challenges of model reduction in highly non-linear failure.

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel technique to reduce the computational burden associated with the simulation of localised failure. The proposed methodology affords the simulation of damage initiation and propagation whilst concentrating the computational effort where it is most needed, i.e. in the localisation zones. To do so, a local/global technique is devised where the global (slave) problem (far from the zones undergoing severe damage and cracking) is solved for in a reduced space computed by the classical Proper Orthogonal Decomposition, while the local (master) degrees of freedom (associated with the part of the structure where most of the damage is taking place) are fully resolved. Both domains are coupled through a local/global technique. This method circumvents the difficulties associated with model order reduction for the simulation of highly non-linear mechanical failure and offers an alternative or complementary approach to the development of multiscale fracture simulators.