Phase-field cohesive zone model for mixed-mode fracture with modified G-criterion based directional energy decomposition scheme
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Mixed-mode fracture behaviors are critical considerations in the mechanics of quasi-brittle materials, impacting both quasi-static and dynamic scenarios. To accurately investigate and model this phenomenon, we developed a novel Phase-Field Cohesive-Zone Model (PF-CZM). This model uniquely incorporates damage-induced anisotropy through a directional decomposition scheme—the first application of its kind to fracture modeling. The framework utilizes a modified G-criterion to determine the fracture plane orientation and introduces a multiscale framework to stabilize crack orientation once nucleation occurs. The governing equations were efficiently solved using the Finite Element Method (FEM), implemented in Julia with Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) for computational acceleration. Numerical examples successfully validate the model's length-insensitivity and demonstrate its robust flexibility in capturing both static and dynamic fracture processes under mixed-mode loading. This study offers novel insights into quasi-brittle mixed-mode fracture by pioneering the use of a directional decomposition scheme in phase-field modeling.
