A damage model for the dynamic fragmentation of brittle solids

Impact produces high stress waves leading to the degradation of brittle materials such as ceramics. Based on a probabilistic approach, single and multiple fragmentation regimes are exhibited. The deterministic nature of the numerical simulation is discussed with respect to stress rate and volume. A damage model is proposed to account for dynamic loadings. Characteristic parameters are proposed and used to choose the mesh size. The mesh sensitivity is studied on a spalling configuration. Numerical predictions are compared with experimental data obtained on Edge-On Impact configurations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.