Meshless Computational Tools for Damage and Failure Modeling

Typical damage simulation approaches are usually based on traditional finite element methods (FEM), extended FEM (xFEM) and cohesive zone method, need prescription of crack topology and complicated algorithms to facilitate crack growth - which severely limit the applicability of these theories. This limitation is a consequence of the continuum mechanics based governing equations which are cast as partial-differential equations (PDEs) that are not well-defined at cracks or singularities. Recently, a new non-local formulation of continuum mechanics named a Peridynamics (PD) theory has been proposed, which replaces PDEs with equivalent integrodifferential equations. The framework results in governing equations that do not require spatial derivatives and allows for treatment of solid-continua containing cracks/discontinuities in a unified meshless manner. In this talk, we will discuss recent advances in meshless Peridynamics-based crack/damage modeling and discuss the novel computational tools being developed Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) for damage modeling. Using simple test cases we demonstrate the capabilities of the meshless approach to capture fatigue initiated damage and crack growth in composites. The mathematical structure of the PD approach automatically enables simulation of cracks propagation and failure, without the need for complicated crack path algorithms like that of XFEM or cohesive element method.