Applying the Cracking Elements Method for Analyzing the Damaging Processes of Structures with Fissures

Abstract

In this work, the recently proposed cracking elements method (CEM) is used to simulate the damage processes of structures with initial imperfections. The CEM is built within the framework of the conventional finite element method (FEM) and is formally similar to a special type of finite element. Disconnected piecewise cracks are used to represent the crack paths. With the advantage of the CEM for which both the initiation and propagation of cracks can be captured naturally, we numerically study uniaxial compression tests on specimens with multiple joints and fissures, where the cracks may propagate from the tips or from other unexpected positions. Although uniaxial compression tests are considered, tensile damage criteria are mainly used in the numerical model. On the one hand, the results demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of the CEM, while, on the other hand, some drawbacks of the present model are demonstrated, indicating directions for future work.