Simulation of Crack Pattern Formation Due to Shrinkage in a Drying Material

Abstract

Crack patterns observed in nature have attracted the interest of researchers in various fields, and the mechanism of the pattern formation has been investigated. However, the phenomenon is very complicated, and many factors affect the process. Therefore, we are motivated to construct a general simulation code with a simple algorithm. In this study, crack pattern formation due to shrinkage caused by the drying of a wet material was simulated. The process was simplified as follows: tensile force is generated in the model, and a crack is generated when the tension exceeds a critical value. The tensile forces in the x and y directions are independently evaluated. A crack propagates perpendicular to the tension until it reaches another crack or a boundary. Based on this modeling, simulations with a two-dimensional square domain were performed. Consequently, a cross-divided pattern was generated. Assuming zigzag crack propagation, more realistic patterns were obtained. The effects of the boundary and domain size were also considered, and various characteristic patterns were obtained. Furthermore, the orientation dependency was simulated, and 45&#730 declined patterns and rectangularly divided patterns were generated. The model presented in this study is very simplified and is expected to be applicable to various objects.