A general framework for decomposing the phase field fracture driving force, particularised to a Drucker–Prager failure surface

Abstract

Due to its computational robustness and versatility, the phase field fracture model has become the preferred tool for predicting a wide range of cracking phenomena. However, in its conventional form, its intrinsic tension–compression symmetry in damage evolution prevents its application to the modelling of compressive failures in brittle and quasi-brittle solids, such as concrete or rock materials. In this work, we present a general methodology for decomposing the phase field fracture driving force, the strain energy density, so as to reproduce asymmetrical tension–compression fracture behaviour. The generalised approach presented is particularised to the case of linear elastic solids and the Drucker–Prager failure criterion. The ability of the presented model to capture the compressive failure of brittle materials is showcased by numerically implementing the resulting strain energy split formulation and addressing four case studies of particular interest. Firstly, insight is gained into the capabilities of the model in predicting friction and dilatancy effects under shear loading. Secondly, virtual direct shear tests are conducted to assess fracture predictions under different pressure levels. Thirdly, a concrete cylinder is subjected to uniaxial and triaxial compression to investigate the influence of confinement. Finally, the localised failure of a soil slope is predicted and the results are compared with other formulations for the strain energy decomposition proposed in the literature. The results provide a good qualitative agreement with experimental observations and demonstrate the capabilities of phase field fracture methods to predict crack nucleation and growth under multi-axial loading in materials exhibiting asymmetric tension–compression fracture behaviour.