Numerical Simulation on Tensile Failure of Rock-Like Heterogeneous Material Using a Modified SPH Method

Abstract

A modified smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is applied to simulate the dynamic tensile failure of rock-like heterogeneous materials. The material heterogeneities are represented by different mechanical properties with a Weibull distribution at different particles over the specimen. An elasto-plastic-damage model is adopted to simulate material failure. Numerical simulations are performed for three specimens with different degrees of heterogeneity under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions, respectively. The effects of strength criterion coefficient [Formula: see text] on the predicted tensile strength are also discussed. Results show that the material heterogeneity has significant effect on the dynamic tensile failure, especially at a higher strain rate loading condition. At a lower strain rate, the failure mode of heterogeneous material is very much similar to that of homogeneous materials. At a higher strain rate, plenty of micro cracks occur forming a failure band in the tension zones. Moreover, the value of strength criterion coefficient [Formula: see text] has a considerable influence on the tensile strength under a higher loading rate.