3D fluid–structure interaction with fracturing: A new method with applications

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for simulating general, three-dimensional fluid–structure interaction problems involving fracturing. Ordinary state-based peridynamics is used to describe the mechanical behaviour of the solid phase in a Lagrangian framework. The governing equations of peridynamics are coupled via a multi-direct immersed boundary method with the incompressible formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations, which are used to govern the dynamics of the fluid phase. The synchronization of the solution is achieved via a fully explicit, weak-coupling strategy that allows for fast and efficient computations. A detailed description of the methodology is provided, together with the results of several validation benchmarks. The qualitative results of the unsteady hydraulic fracture of a porous medium are also presented to show the potential of the proposed approach. The authors believe that the numerical technique described in this paper contributes to advance the capability of models in reproducing complex fluid–structure interaction and hydraulic fracture problems, providing a very detailed description of both the fluid and solid mechanics of the processes involved.