FINITE ELEMENT MESH AND STEP SIZE SENSITIVITY IN PHASE-FIELD DAMAGE MODELING

Abstract

The phase-field (PF) damage modeling is one of the hottest topics in computational mechanics. The application of the implementation in Finite Element Method (FEM) software depends on possibility to make appropriate FE model. One of the steps in implementation of PF models into FEM codes is the verification on benchmark examples. There are several well established and described problems which need to be solved to show the functionality and accuracy of the implementation. One of the main issues is strong FE mesh and step size dependence of the model response. To show the importance of the proper modeling and step size selection, the authors selected one of the benchmark examples: “Single edge notched tension test” [1]. The difference in response of the model with the same boundary and loading conditions is shown for coarse and fine mesh and for coarse and fine time step.