Application of s-version finite element method to phase field modeling for localized fractures

Since phase field fracture model is computationally demanding, its application is mostly limited to relatively simple and small-scale specimens or structural components. The main objective of this paper is to extend the application of the phase field fracture model to practical engineering structures with strong global-local prop-erties. A computationally and operationally feasible coupling-type global-local phase field method is proposed, in which the phase field model is resolved by fine mesh on a local scale, while a far coarser mesh is adopted to discretize the global region. The numerical solution by the s-version method is formulated to couple the partly overlapping global and local regions with different finite element discretization. The accuracy and efficiency of the s-version method-based phase field fracture model are investigated through several representative numerical examples. The application of the proposed method to a large structure is demonstrated by an example, where the fire-induced spalling process taking place in a shallow-buried box culvert is resolved by the s-version method-based phase field model.

Automated summary

The main objective of this paper is to extend the application of the phase field fracture model to practical engineering structures with strong global-local properties. A computationally and operationally feasible coupling-type global-local phase field method is proposed. The accuracy and efficiency of the s-version method-based phase field fracture model are investigated through several representative numerical examples, and the application of the proposed method to a large structure is demonstrated by an example.