Adaptive isogeometric modeling of propagating strong  discontinuities in heterogeneous materials

Prof.-Ing. Markus Kästner (Dresden)

Prof. Dr. Daniel Peterseim(Bonn)

Dipl.-Ing. Paul Hennig (Dresden)

Dipl.-Math. Philipp Morgenstern (Bonn)

Abstract

Multi-material lightweight designs and smart devices with characteristic microscopic material structures are the key features for the development of innovative products. In this context, an adaptive isogeometric framework for the modeling ad simulation of crack propagation in heterogeneous materials is to be developed, implemented, and mathematically analyzed in this project. The mechanical modeling of interface failure will be based on increasing knot multiplicities driven by cohesive zone models for crack propagation along material interfaces. In addition, a phase-field model will account for propagating cracks in the bulk material including interaction phenomena such as crack branching and coalescence. The spline-based discretization offers higher efficiency compared to Lagrangian polynomials, control of regularity, accurate approximation of  strong gradients in the phase-field order parameter, as well as the possibility to discretize  higher-order phase-field equations. Local mesh adaptivity required for the resolution of material interfaces and the phase-field variables will be provided by T-splines as well as hierarchical spline approximations. In addition to the physical modeling, open  mathematical problems include a practicable characterization of T-meshes suitable for IGA in 3D and  clear understanding of the role of increased regularity in the approximation.