On crack propagation in brittle material using the distinct lattice spring model

Chao Jiang, Gao-Feng Zhao, Nasser Khalili

With the rapid development of high-performance computing, Lattice Spring Models (LSMs) using a simple fracturing law demonstrate many prospects for simulating crack propagation in brittle solids. In thispaper, a comprehensive study on crack propagation in brittle material is conducted using the distinctlattice spring model (DLSM) with high-performance computing and physical tests on crack propagationin brittle material from this work and the literature. The relationship between the simple fracturing lawand the fracture criterion based on linear elastic fracture mechanics is investigated for the first time. Thework involved includes the correlation between the Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) and spring deformation,the influence of the particle size on fracture toughness, and the relationship between the micro-springfailure and the critical stress intensity factors. Our results indicate that the simple fracturing law based onspring deformation may be easier and more fundamental for understanding crack propagation in brittlematerials than fracture-toughness-based criteria. The applicability of the simple fracturing law is furtherconfirmed from numerical modelling of crack propagation and coalescence problems with complex preexisting cracks. Our results show that models with an appropriate resolution can simulate the crack pathreasonably. Finally, the advantages of using the simple fracturing law are highlighted through multipledynamic crack propagation and three-dimensional fracturing.