Thermally Activated Fracture of Porous Media

TL;DR

This paper investigates the delayed fracture of porous materials under constant stress using a thermal spring network model, comparing predictions with experimental data to understand fracture mechanisms.

Contribution

Introduces a thermal fluctuation-based spring network model to simulate and analyze the lifetime of porous media under stress, aligning with experimental observations.

Findings

Model accurately predicts delayed fracture times

Thermal fluctuations influence fracture initiation

Good agreement with experimental data

Abstract

The lifetime of a porous media, submitted to a constant subcritical stress, is studied by means of a numerical model. This model is based on a spring network where the porosity is represented by missing springs. The dynamics is produced adding thermal fluctuations in spring forces. The lifetime predicted by the models are compared to experimental data of delayed fracture of porous media submitted to three-point flexion fracture experiments.