Phase-Field based Multiscale Analysis to simulate Pressurized Fractures in Heterogeneous Material

  • Leão, Hugo (Federal University of Minas Gerais)
  • Ferreira, Eduarda (Federal University of Minas Gerais)
  • Pitangueira, Roque (Federal University of Minas Gerais)
  • Gori, Lapo (Federal University of Minas Gerais)

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The phase-field model (PFM) for fracture is a relatively recent approach that has proven to be particularly suitable for modeling complex fracture processes. Based on a variational formulation, the PFM is able to automatically identify the emergence and propagation of multiple cracks, as well as to represent bifurcation, nucleation, and branching phenomena. For these reasons, the classical formulation has been extended to incorporate multiphysics couplings, including pressurized fracture propagation, which is widely observed in heterogeneous geomechanical and composite materials. In this sense, multiscale analysis becomes particularly relevant, as it enables an accurate representation of the material by capturing the influence of the microstructure on fracture propagation and on the resulting structural response, allowing for the modeling of large-scale real-life problems. In this context, a multiscale model for heterogeneous media under internal pressure loads is proposed within the Multilevel Finite Element Method (FE²) framework, extending the approach in [1]. Two distinct scales are considered: the micro and macroscales. At the microscale, the heterogeneous material, that can be composed of multiple phases, initial defects, voids, and pores, is modeled using the PFM for pressurized fracture proposed in [2], which enables the accurate tracking of complex pressurized crack trajectories. At the macroscale, the large-scale structure is modeled as an equivalent medium with homogenized properties. Within this framework, it is possible to effectively assess the evolution of inelastic processes, as well as to capture the overall structural response. All computational implementation and numerical simulations have been developed in the open-source software INSANE¹ . REFERENCES [1] Bharali, R., Larsson, F. and Janicke, R., ¨ Computational homogenisation of phase-field fracture, European Journal of Mechanics / A Solids, Vol. 88, pp. 104247, 2021. [2] Bourdin, B., Chukwudozie C., and Yoshioka K., A Variational Approach to the Numerical Simulation of Hydraulic Fracturing, Proc. of the 2012 SPE ATCE, Vol. SPE 146951, 2012. 1-More information can be found at website https://www.insane.dees.ufmg.br/ and the source code is available at the repositor http://git.insane.dees.ufmg.br/insane/insane.git.