Numerical modeling of wing crack propagation accounting for fracture contact mechanics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a numerical model that simulates wing crack propagation from pre-existing fractures under shear, incorporating fracture contact mechanics and validated against analytical and experimental data.

Contribution

It presents a novel numerical approach combining linear elastic fracture mechanics with fracture contact mechanics for complex crack interactions.

Findings

Model accurately predicts wing crack emergence and growth.

Efficient adaptive remeshing enhances computational performance.

Validated results match analytical and experimental data.

Abstract

As a consequence of shearing, wing cracks can emerge from pre-existing fractures. The process involves the interaction of sliding of the existing fracture surfaces and the tensile material failure that creates wing cracks. This work devises a numerical model to investigate how wing cracks emerge, propagate and connect pre-existing fractures under shear processes. A mathematical and numerical model for wing crack propagation based on linear elastic fracture mechanics that also accounts for fracture contact mechanics is presented. Computational efficiency is ensured by an adaptive remeshing technique. The numerical model is verified and validated through a comparison of the analytical and experimental results. Additional numerical examples illustrate the performance of the method for complex test cases where wing-cracks develop for multiple pre-existing and interacting fractures.