Numerical modeling of localization bands with mesh-independence using lumped damage mechanics

Resumo

The Lumped Damage Mechanics for continuous media has been successful in describing the nonlinear physical behavior of engineering problems. The approach utilizes basic concepts from fracture and classic damage mechanics. In this regard, material degradation in two-dimensional media is computed from the evolution of localization bands concentrated on the finite elements faces. The growth of these bands occurs based on the Griffith criterion. In this work, a nonlinear evolution law with exponential softening is adopted in order to accurately describe quasi-brittle failure behavior. Numerical solutions show mesh-independence of the proposed approach as well as the reproduction of the size-effect phenomenon. Finally, it was possible to reproduce experimental behavior in terms of equilibrium trajectory and cracking pattern of the failure region.