Crack propagation analysis using PDS-FEM and comparison with fracture experiment

This paper presents the formulation of PDS-FEM (particle discretization scheme finite element method) in three dimensional setting and Monte-Carlo simulation of crack propagation by PDS-FEM. The probability density function of the crack paths in a plate with two parallel initial cracks located in an anti-symmetric manner is computed in order to evaluate the statistical and spatial distribution of the crack paths, and it is shown that the crack path in an ideally homogeneous plate is unstable. The simulation results are compared with experimental data. Besides, Monte-Carlo simulation of crack propagation in a heterogeneous elasto-plastic cylinder (as a simplified model of concrete) under uniaxial tension has been carried out and its statistical behavior is discussed.