An adaptive multi-patch isogeometric phase-field model for dynamic brittle fracture

Abstract

This paper presents an adaptive multi-patch isogeometric phase-field model based on Nitsche's method for simulating dynamic brittle fracture. Complex structures are accurately represented with multiple patches, and Nitsche's method is used to link two adjacent patches to ensure the compatibility and continuity of physical quantities (such as displacements, stresses, phase-field variables) on the coupling edge. LR NURBS with the local refinement ability are used for spatial discretization, while a generalized-α method is used for temporal discretization. The staggered algorithm and hybrid PFM formulation are adopted to enhance the solution efficiency of multi-field coupled system. In addition, the local refinement is executed utilising the phase-field threshold. Several dynamic fracture examples are used to validate the proposed approach's accuracy and effectiveness. The proposed approach can effectively model dynamic fracture propagation, and numerical results demonstrate that the adaptive analysis may significantly lower the computing cost.