Continuum-kinematics-based peridynamics and phase-field approximation of non-local dynamic fracture

Abstract In this work, two non-local approaches to dynamic fracture are investigated: a novel peridynamic formulation and a variational phase-field approach. The chosen continuum-kinematics-based peridynamic model extends the current peridynamic models by introducing surface and volume-based interactions. The phase-field fracture approach optimizes the body’s potential energy and provides a reliable method for predicting fracture in finite element computations. Both methods are able to efficiently compute crack propagation even when the cracks have arbitrary or complex patterns. We discuss the relations of critical fracture parameters in the two methods and show that our novel damage model for the continuum-kinematics-based peridynamics effectively manages fracture under dynamic loading conditions. Numerical examples demonstrate a good agreement between both methods in terms of crack propagation, fracture pattern, and in part, critical loading. We also show the limitations of the methods and discuss possible reasons for deviations.