An adaptive phase-field approach for simulating crack propagation in heterogeneous structures

In recent years, the simulation of damage phenomena in engineering materials, especially heterogeneous ones, remains a significant challenge due to the intricate physical processes involved. These complexities arise from the need to account for the interactions between different material phases, the initiation and growth of cracks, and the influence of microstructural features. A proper evaluation of fracture behavior is then essential to limit dramatic failures that may lead to unsafe conditions. The aim of the present work is to present a novel adaptive phase-field method within a Finite Element (FE) framework for simulating crack propagation phenomena in heterogeneous materials. The proposed model enhances the phase-field approach, known for its robustness in handling complex fracture patterns, with an adaptive meshing technique to efficiently manage the computational demands posed by material heterogeneity. The main characteristic of the present methodology is being adaptive, meaning that it can update itself during damage evolution. In fact, the model automatically inserts highly meshed damageable domains as well as a damage activation criterion is met, which typically involves regions experiencing high stress concentrations. This feature ensures that computational resources are focused where they are most needed, thereby improving efficiency without sacrificing accuracy. Additionally, the model has the ability to capture intricate crack paths without prior knowledge of their locations. Comparisons with experimental data and numerical results reported in the technical literature are developed to assess reliability and efficacy of the proposed methodology. The results highlight the potential of this adaptive phase-field method as a powerful tool for analyzing and modeling diverse materials and structures in engineering applications.