Computational Simulation Of Progressive Failure In Brittle Materials

Progressive failure in brittle materials is simulated in a computer in this paper. The approach of computational simulation is the finite element method.The whole research is combined by the following three parts. In part one, a program on quadtree method is compiled. It can automatically generate planar structures with all-quadrangular, good quality elements in high speed, and it can create data files on information of elements and nodes, which provide the foundation for finite element analysis. In part two, a program on finite element calculation is compiled by object-oriented method, During the simulation of fracture, the displacement and stress are calculated by the program. In part three, Progressive failure of brittle materials is simulated. The choice of failure criterion and failure model are important, because they can affect the result of simulation. In this paper, the first strength theory is choosen as the failure criterion due to the characteristic of brittle materials, and a failure model is developed. The model supposes to produce a crack along the edge of destroyed element, and an even force is exerted to make up for the energy that is released when the crack are presumed to produce. Finally, the failure shape is given by computeracy on drawing.Examples are presented and analyzed in every part. They indicate that it is possible to simulate the progressive fracture of brittle materials using a computer and the programs are tested to be correct.