Numerical Solution Strategies for a Dynamic Phase Field Fracture Model

Abstract

This work discusses the efficiency of six strategies for the numerical solution of the coupled system of partial differential equations that arise from a phase field description of dynamic fracture. Efficient numerical treatment of the dynamic phase field fracture model is a prerequisite for the simulation of failure due to brittle fracture in realistic scenarios such as manufacturing.Firstly, the phase field description of fracturing of brittle solids is introduced. Afterwards, three monolithic as well as three staggered finite element solution strategies are outlined and their performance is studied in two benchmark problems.