Calibration of cohesive parameters for a castable refractory using 4D tomographic data and realistic crack path from in-situ wedge splitting test

Author(s)

Vargas, R. ; Canto, R. B. ; Smaniotto, B. ; Hild, F.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of the European Ceramic Society; v. 43, n. 2, p. 16-pg., 2023-02-01.

Abstract

Crack propagation in an alumina castable refractory with mullite-zirconia aggregates was investigated in-situ using a wedge splitting test performed inside a laboratory tomograph. Four-dimensional (i.e., 3D space and time) data from digital volume correlation were used to investigate the influence of a realistic crack path on the simulation of the fracture process. A cohesive law was chosen, since toughening mechanisms were present, and calibrated via finite element model updating. When a straight crack path was assumed instead of the experimental crack path, a 10% higher fracture energy and a 35% higher cohesive strength were calibrated. Although the force alone could be used in the minimized cost function, the kinematic information gives valuable insight into the trustworthiness of the geometrical hypotheses assumed in the finite element model. Such framework can be applied to study nonlinear fracture processes for different materials with complex toughening mechanisms such as crack deflection or branching. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/23081-0 - Fracture mechanisms of refractories at room and elevated temperatures analyzed with wedge splitting tests and image correlation
• Grantee: Rafael Vargas Maginador
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 21/09238-6 - Identification of the 3D fracture process zone for refractory materials by digital volume correlation combined with finite element analyses
• Grantee: Rafael Vargas Maginador
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 20/08077-6 - Fracture analysis of refractories at high temperatures via numerical simulation and digital image correlation
• Grantee: Rodrigo Bresciani Canto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants