Fracture modeling using a microstructural mechanics approach - II. Finite element analysis

Abstract

In the accompanying paper [C.S. Chang, T.K. Wang, L.J. Sluys, J.G.M. van Mier, J. Eng. Fract. Mech. (this volume)], the theoretical aspects of a stress-strain model are described based on a microstructural approach. A finite element formulation was presented that incorporates the developed stress-strain relationship. In this paper the results of finite element analyses are described. The paper is focused on two main issues: the difference between the micropolar and the non-polar microstructural model, and the performance of the model respect to mesh size dependence. Specimens in uniaxial tension test and in biaxial tension-shear tests have been analyzed. To evaluate the applicability of this method, the finite element results are also compared with measured experimental results. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.