A Review on phase-field modeling of fracture

Abstract

In cases with complicated crack topologies, the computational modeling of failure processes in materials owing to fracture based on sharp crack discontinuities fails. Diffusive crack modeling based on the insertion of a crack phase-field can overcome this. The phase-field model (PFM) portrays the fracture geometry in a diffusive manner, with no abrupt discontinuities. Unlike discrete fracture descriptions, phase-field descriptions do not need numerical monitoring of discontinuities in the displacement field. This considerably decreases the complexity of implementation. These qualities enable PFM to describe fracture propagation more successfully than numerical approaches based on the discrete crack model, especially for complicated crack patterns. These models have also demonstrated the ability to forecast fracture initiation and propagation in two and three dimensions without the need for any ad hoc criteria. The phase-field model, among numerous options, is promising in the computer modeling of fracture in solids due to its ability to cope with complicated crack patterns such as branching, merging, and even fragmentation. A brief history of the application of the phase-field model in predicting solid fracture has been attempted. An effort has been made to keep the conversation focused on recent research findings on the subject. Finally, some key findings and recommendations for future research areas in this field are discussed.