Overview of phase-field models for fatigue fracture in a unified framework

TL;DR

This paper reviews various phase-field models for fatigue fracture, unifying them into a common framework, and compares their features to guide future applications and development.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive, unified overview of existing phase-field fatigue models, classifying them and comparing their key features for better understanding and application.

Findings

Models can be classified into two main categories based on fatigue implementation.

Unified variational framework allows for direct comparison of models.

Guides for selecting and developing phase-field fatigue models are provided.

Abstract

In the last ten years, the phase-field method has gained much attention as a novel method to simulate fracture due to its straightforward way allowing to cover crack initiation and propagation without additional conditions. More recently, it has also been applied to fatigue fracture due to cyclic loading. This publication gives an overview of the main phase-field fatigue models published to date. We present all models in a unified variational framework for best comparability. Subsequently, the models are compared regarding their most important features. It becomes apparent that they can be classified in mainly two categories according to the way fatigue is implemented in the model - that is as a gradual degradation of the fracture toughness or with an additional term in the crack driving force. We aim to provide a helpful guide for choosing the appropriate model for different applications and for developing existing models further.