Applying the phase-field approach for brittle fracture prediction: Numerical implementation and experimental validation

Abstract

In this study, the finite element method was used to predict the brittle fracture path using the phase-field approach. The staggered algorithm was adopted owing to its proved robustness. In order to reduce the computational time, an optimization method of matrix assembly was proposed. Then, a comparative study was performed between the isotropic and the hybrid formulations. Numerical tests were computed to compare these formulations. Because of the lack of experimental validation, tensile tests were achieved in order to validate the phase-field approach. A good agreement between the experimental and numerical results in terms of crack pattern was illustrated for the hybrid formulation.