Phase-field modeling of brittle fracture of orthotropic materials

• Grant number: 25/13024-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: September 20, 2025
• End date: January 19, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Ayrton Ribeiro Ferreira
• Grantee: Diego Dias Veloso
• Supervisor: Umberto Perego
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Politecnico di Milano, Italy
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/13141-6 - Phase-field modeling of brittle fracture of orthotropic materials, BP.MS

Abstract

Phase-field models for brittle fracture have been widely discussed in recent literature.This popularity is primarily due to the possibility of representing cracks through a continuousscalar field using the traditional Finite Element Method (FEM), thereby avoiding the needfor enrichments with discontinuous functions or mesh refinement during crack propagation.However, the vast majority of studies are limited to isotropic materials. Furthermore, modelsdedicated to anisotropy still lack adequate inclusion of asymmetric tensile and compressivestrength, as well as a criterion to prevent crack face interpenetration. In this context, the phasefieldmodel of Ferreira, Marengo e Perego (2024) will be coupled with anisotropic fracture toughnessformulations by incorporating direction-dependent critical energy release rates. Thus, thisproject aims to contribute to understanding the effect of different sources of anisotropy inbrittle fracturing problems and to significantly advance fracture modeling through phase-fieldapproaches. (AU)