Phase-field modeling of multi-field problems with applications to hydraulic-elastic-plastic fracturing

Abstract

The modeling of fracture, i.e. fracture initiation and fracture growth, has been the subject of intensive research in the field of continuum mechanics over the last decades. The overall goal is to use simulations to make the production or development process of new parts, materials or techniques cheaper and faster. These simulations are based on material models which are derived using fundamental concepts of continuum mechanics and thermodynamics. This includes the mathematical description of the motion and deformation of a body as well as the definition of mechanical stresses, heat and mass flows. In the present work, the above process of model conceptualization and numerical implementation is applied to ductile fracture in porous metals, fracture in ductile frictional materials, and ductile frictional materials at hydraulic fracture. With these three models, it is possible to treat ductile failure problems such as cup-cone failure surfaces, ductile fractures in soil materials, and hydraulically induced fractures in ductile soil materials. The latter aims at describing the ongoing processes in hydraulic fracturing. The models are mathematically derived and implemented based on an appropriate finite element description.