Dynamics of the size and orientation distribution of microcracks and evolution of macroscopic damage parameters (Q2469320)

The paper considers dynamic damage of brittle material due to the growth of the penny-shaped microcracks. It is assumed that they can only enlarge but not heal. Into framework of the mesoscopic description, there are introduced mesoscopic fields, defined on an enlarged space including crack size and orientation. Averages over crack sizes and orientations, i. e. macroscopic quantities are calculated with the distribution function. The differential equation for this distribution function is determined from the mesoscopic balance equations and crack growth law for the single crack. A scalar damage parameter, the average crack length is found, and the equation of motion for the damage parameter in the case of uniaxial loading with stress growing linearly with time stated. Due to the unilateral growth law for the single crack, the differential equation depends explicitly on the initial crack length distribution. In order to account for the anisotropic nature of damage, a second order tensor damage parameter in terms of the crack length and orientation distribution function is defined. Solutions of the differential equation are obtained for stepwise and exponential initial crack length distribution. The Rice-Griffith dynamics, applied to describe the growth of a single microcrack has the advantage that it leads to a simple closed form of the differential equation for the scalar damage parameter. However, this growth law leads to infinite growth velocities of a single crack with time increasing.