Phase-field modeling of brittle fracture of orthotropic materials

• Grant number: 24/13141-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Ayrton Ribeiro Ferreira
• Grantee: Diego Dias Veloso
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Phase field models for fracturing have been widely discussed in recent literature. This popularity is primarily due to the possibility of representing cracks through a continuous scalar field using the traditional Finite Element Method (FEM), thereby avoiding the need for enrichments with discontinuous functions or mesh refinement during crack propagation. However, the vast majority of studies are limited to isotropic materials. Furthermore, models dedicated to anisotropy still lack adequate inclusion of asymmetric tensile and compressive strength, as well as a criterion to prevent crack face interpenetration. In this context, this proposal aims to extend the existing isotropic phase field model by \citeonline{Ferreira2024}, which automatically overcomes these limitations and facilitates extensions, to the brittle fracturing of orthotropic materials. Anisotropy will be included in both deformation and fracture mechanisms. The former requires the incorporation of fourth-order anisotropic elastic constitutive tensors in the stress-strain relationship. The latter involves, in short, considering the critical rate of surface energy release according to spatial directions. Thus, this endeavor aims to contribute to understanding the effect of different sources of anisotropy in brittle fracturing problems and to significantly advance fracture modeling through phase field approaches.