Numerical modelling of spontaneous crack generation in brittle materials using the particle simulation method

Purpose - The main purpose of this paper is to present and use the particle simulation method to explicitly simulate the spontaneous crack initiation phenomenon in brittle materials, and to compare the particle simulation results with experimental ones on the laboratory scale. Design/methodology/approach - Using the particle simulation method, the brittle material is simulated as an assembly of particles so that the microscopic mechanism of inter- and intra-particle crack initiation can be straightforwardly considered on the microscopic scale. A laboratory test has been conducted using a gypsum sample model to validate the particle simulation method for explicitly simulating the spontaneous crack initiation phenomenon. Findings - The paper finds that in terms of simulating the macroscopic sliding surface along or around the contact plane between a block and its foundation, both the laboratory test and the particle simulation have produced consistent results. This indicated that the particle simulation method is capable of simulating macroscopic cracks through simulating conglomerations and accumulations of microscopic crack initiation within the brittle material. Compared with other numerical methods, the particle simulation method is more suitable for explicitly and effectively simulating spontaneous crack initiation problems on the microscopic scale in brittle materials. Originality/value - The particle simulation method can be used to explicitly and effectively simulate the spontaneous crack initiation on the microscopic scale in brittle materials. It can be also used to simulate the macroscopic sliding surface along or around the contact plane between a block and its foundation. The experimental results of simulating the spontaneous crack initiation on the laboratory scale in brittle materials are very valuable for validating the numerical simulation results obtained not only from the particle simulation method, but also from other numerical simulation methods.