3‐D mesoscale simulation of crack‐permeability coupling in the Brazilian splitting test

In this paper, mesoscale hydromechanical simulations are performed to study (1) fracture features and (2) crack‐gas permeability coupling evolution in the context of the tensile splitting test. The mesostructure is based on a 2‐phase 3‐D representation of heterogeneous materials, such as concrete, where stiff aggregates are embedded into a mortar matrix. To take into account these heterogeneities without any mesh adaptation, a weak discontinuity is introduced into the strain field. In addition, a strong discontinuity is also added to take into account microcracking. This mechanical model is cast into the framework of the enhanced finite element method. Concerning the coupling with gas permeability, a double‐porosity method is used to simulate the flow through the cracks and the porosity. The apparent gas permeability is afterwards evaluated by a homogenization method. On the basis of finite element simulations, influence of aggregate size on ultimate crack opening, macroscopic ultimate tensile stress, total dissipated energy, and gas permeability evolution is numerically investigated. Furthermore, gas permeability evolution is also compared with experimental results from the literature. In addition, in the spirit of a sequential multiscale approach, macroscale gas permeability equations are identified from the hydromechanical results coming from the mesoscale computations. These equations lead to a relation between macroscale gas permeability evolution and crack opening. Besides, we show how the aggregate size influences the percolation threshold and that after this threshold, a cubic relation between macroscale gas permeability and crack opening is obtained.     

模拟三维裂纹问题的多尺度扩展有限元法

扩展有限元法模拟裂纹时独立于网格,因此该方法是目前求解裂纹问题最有效的数值方法。为了在计算代价不大的情况,实现大型结构分析中考虑小裂纹或提高裂纹附近精度,在裂纹附近一般采用小尺度单元,其他区域采用大尺度单元。提出了分析三维裂纹问题的多尺度扩展有限元法,在需要的地方采用小尺度单元。基于点插值构造了六面体任意节点单元。所有尺度单元都采用8节点六面体单元,这样六面体任意节点单元可方便有效地连接不同尺度单元。采用互作用积分法计算三维应力强度因子。边裂纹和中心圆裂纹算例分析结果表明,该方法是正确和有效的。     

Computational mechanics of the steel–concrete interface

Concrete cracking in reinforced concrete structures is governed by two mechanisms: the activation of bond forces at the steel–concrete interface and the bridge effects of the reinforcement crossing a macro‐crack. The computational modelling of these two mechanisms, acting at different scales, is the main objective of this paper. The starting point is the analysis of the micro‐mechanisms, leading to an appropriate choice of (measurable) state variables describing the energy state in the surface systems: on the one side the relative displacement between the steel and the concrete, modelling the bond activation; on the other hand, the crack opening governing the bridge effects. These displacement jumps are implemented in the constitutive model using thermodynamics of surfaces of discontinuity. On the computational side, the constitutive model is implemented in a discrete crack approach. A truss element with slip degrees of freedom is developed. This degree of freedom represents the relative displacement due to bond activation. In turn, the bridge effect is numerically taken into account by modifying the post‐cracking behaviour of the contact elements representing discrete concrete cracks crossed by a rebar. First simulation results obtained with this model show a good agreement in crack pattern and steel stress distribution with micro‐mechanical results and experimental results. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modeling 3-D desiccation soil crack networks using a mesh fragmentation technique

The problem of desiccation cracks in soils has received increasing attention in the last few years, in both experimental investigations and modeling. Experimental research has been mainly focused on the behavior of slurries subjected to drying in plates of different shapes, sizes and thickness. The main objectives of these studies were to learn about the process of crack formation under controlled environmental conditions, and also to understand better the impact of different factors (e.g. soil type, boundary conditions, soil thickness) on the morphology of the crack network. As for the numerical modeling, different approaches have been proposed to describe the behavior of drying cracks in soils. One aspect that it is still difficult to simulate properly is the 3-D crack pattern typically observed in desiccated soils. In this work we present a numerical technique to model the behavior of drying soils. The proposed approach inserts high aspect ratio elements in-between standard elements of a finite element mesh. This mesh fragmentation technique can be easily adapted to standard finite element programs. We used this technique to analyze multiple case studies related to soil desiccation cracks developed under laboratory and field conditions. We focused our attention in some key factors that control the 3-D morphology of the drying cracks network in soils. We show that the proposed technique is able to simulate very satisfactorily the main patterns typically observed in cracked soils.     

基于混合常应力−光滑应变单元的极限分析方法

极限分析是岩土工程稳定性评价的重要方法之一。传统的有限元极限分析方法,采用低阶三角形单元时需要引入速度间断面并采用特殊网格布局,或者采用高阶三角形单元等措施来克服体积锁定问题和提高数值精度。在光滑有限元法（smoothed finite element method,简称SFEM）的基础上,提出了一种基于新型混合常应力−光滑应变单元的极限分析方法（mixed constant stress-smoothed strain element limit analysis,简称MCSE-LA方法）。在服从关联流动法则和Mohr-Coulomb屈服准则的基础上,MCSE-LA方法最终将数值极限分析转化为以应力和极限荷载乘子为基本未知量的二阶锥规划（second order cone programming,简称SOCP）问题。MCSE-LA方法具有形式简单、优化变量相对较少和无需显式的写出塑性内能耗散函数的优点,并且根据凸锥优化的对偶理论,可以从对偶问题中获得速度场和塑性乘子等信息。此外,还采用基于最大塑性剪应变率的网格自适应加密算法,该算法在塑性区细化网格,显著提高了新数值极限分析方法的计算效率和精度。最后通过边坡稳定分析的结果对比,验证了MCSE-LA方法的计算精度和效率均高于传统的有限元极限分析方法。     

扩展有限元法节点加强类型的确定

扩展有限元法的网格剖分不需要考虑裂纹的位置,但计算时需根据计算网格和裂纹位置关系确定加强节点和加强类型。一般根据加强单元类型确定加强节点和加强类型。确定加强单元类型,不仅要考虑裂纹位置,还要考虑单元形状。指出现有文献中只考虑裂纹位置根据节点水平集值判别加强单元类型的不足,提出相应的改进方法。对于复杂形状裂纹,采用水平集法确定加强单元类型并不方便;给出了一种确定加强单元类型、加强节点和加强类型的有效方法,即根据裂纹与单元边界交点数和裂纹拐点位置确定加强单元类型,然后根据加强单元类型确定加强节点及加强类型;给出了该方法详细的执行过程。算例分析表明了本文方法的正确性。     

一种处理加筋体结构问题的有限元分析模型

在用有限元法分析混凝土中钢筋或峒室岩体中的锚杆变形问题时,经常会遇到线单元与体单元耦合变形的问题,现有的方法一般是将锚杆或钢筋简化成桁架或梁单元,作为嵌入单元将其贡献刚度叠加到体单元的刚度矩阵中。但无论哪种简化都没有反映复杂应力状态下加强构件变形处处不均匀的特性。在总结其他学者研究的基础上,将这类问题统称为加筋体问题,并提出一种新的的有限元分析模型。模型中利用连续介质力学基本理论将加强构件的轴向变形能、扭转变形能及弯曲变形能叠加到实体单元的势能泛函中,用最小势能原理导出了一种非线性的单元平衡方程。利用该模型编制了相应的程序,并与商用软件Abaqus的计算结果作了对比分析。     

Modeling of dynamic cohesive fracture propagation in porous saturated media

In this paper, a mathematical model is presented for the analysis of dynamic fracture propagation in the saturated porous media. The solid behavior incorporates a discrete cohesive fracture model, coupled with the flow in porous media through the fracture network. The double‐nodded zero‐thickness cohesive interface element is employed for the mixed mode fracture behavior in tension and contact behavior in compression. The crack is automatically detected and propagated perpendicular to the maximum effective stress. The spatial discretization is continuously updated during the crack propagation. Numerical examples from the hydraulic fracturing test and the concrete gravity dam show the capability of the model to simulate dynamic fracture propagation. The comparison is performed between the quasi‐static and fully dynamic solutions, and the performance of two analyses is investigated on the values of crack length and crack mouth opening. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

温度冲击下煤的微观结构变化与断裂机制

为研究温度冲击下煤的微观结构变化及其损伤断裂机制,以干燥颗粒煤为研究对象,分别开展了煤样的冷冲击和热冷冲击试验。利用扫描电镜（SEM）观测图像结果,分析对比了两种温度冲击前后煤样微观形貌、裂缝分布、开裂和延伸情况,结合断裂力学理论分析了煤样内部微裂缝的开裂机制和扩展方向,并通过ANSYS有限元软件模拟了微裂缝扩展时的应力场和位移场的分布情况,揭示了煤样的断裂机制。研究结果表明,两种温度冲击对煤的结构均造成了不同程度的破坏,温度冲击所形成的热应力最终导致了原始裂纹和新生裂纹的扩展和延伸;温度冲击下所产生的裂纹形式主要有沿晶裂纹、穿晶裂纹、翼型裂纹、交叉裂纹、枝须状裂纹和网状裂纹;分析结果表明,温差愈大,所产生的温度热应力愈大,热冷冲击所产生的裂缝的数量更多、扩展更充分,对煤样的破坏更严重,因此,热冷冲击的破煤效果更好。     

扩展有限元法在岩石断裂力学中的应用

岩石裂纹的扩展是一个经典的不连续问题,常规有限元方法难以实现裂纹扩展过程的仿真模拟。扩展有限元法(XFEM)实现了计算网格与不连续面相互独立,因此模拟移动的不连续面时无需对网格进行重新剖分。本文介绍了XFEM基本原理和岩石断裂力学常用判据,尝试对岩石类材料单缝Ⅰ型三点弯曲、单缝剪切和双缝平板实验进行模拟。分析结果表明:扩展有限元模拟岩石类材料断裂问题不受网格划分限制,裂纹以实际应力场分布随机扩展;直观地给出岩样的微裂纹产生、演化,直至完全破坏的全过程,并与实验结果吻合。该方法能够应用到岩石断裂力学方面的研究,模拟岩石类材料的宏细观破坏过程,为解决复杂问题提供了方便的途径。     

基于局部单元劈裂的FEM/DEM自适应分析方法

为了模拟岩体中裂纹的萌生、扩展,Munjiza提出了有限元法/离散元法(FEM/DEM)耦合分析方法。因为裂纹是沿单元边界进行扩展的,亦即裂纹扩展具有网格依赖性,为获得较好的裂纹扩展形态,需要划分密集的初始网格。为解决上述难题,基于FEM/DEM耦合分析方法,提出了基于局部单元动态劈裂的FEM/DEM自适应分析方法,以克服裂纹扩展形态对网格的依赖性。该方法在最初建模时无需划分很密的初始网格,随着荷载的施加,对裂纹尖端附近的局部单元进行动态劈裂,为裂纹的后续扩展提供了更多可能的扩展方向,使得裂纹扩展不必沿着初始网格的单元边界扩展,即可以沿着单元内部进行扩展,裂纹扩展形态更为平滑,与实际情况更为接近。同时相对原FEM/DEM耦合分析方法一开始就划分很密的网格而言,新方法可以划分较为稀疏的初始网格,计算成本降低。最后,通过巴西劈裂算例与原FEM/DEM耦合分析方法对比,分析表明,新方法在一定程度上克服了裂纹扩展形态对初始网格的依赖性。     

Coupling between anisotropic damage and permeability variation in brittle rocks

In this paper, a coupled constitutive model is proposed for anisotropic damage and permeability variation in brittle rocks under deviatoric compressive stresses. The formulation of the model is based on experimental evidences and main physical mechanisms involved in the scale of microcracks are taken into account. The proposed model is expressed in the macroscopic framework and can be easily implemented for engineering application. The macroscopic free enthalpy of cracked solid is first determined by approximating crack distribution by a second‐order damage tensor. The effective elastic properties of damaged material are then derived from the free enthalpy function. The damage evolution is related to the crack growth in multiple orientations. A pragmatic approach inspired from fracture mechanics is used for the formulation of the crack propagation criterion. Compressive stress induced crack opening is taken into account and leads to macroscopic volumetric dilatancy and permeability variation. The overall permeability tensor of cracked material is determined using a micro–macro averaging procedure. Darcy's law is used for fluid flow at the macroscopic scale whereas laminar flow is assumed at the microcrack scale. Hydraulic connectivity of cracks increases with crack growth. The proposed model is applied to the Lac du Bonnet granite. Generally, good agreement is observed between numerical simulations and experimental data. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A fracture mapping and extended finite element scheme for coupled deformation and fluid flow in fractured porous media

This paper presents a fracture mapping (FM) approach combined with the extended finite element method (XFEM) to simulate coupled deformation and fluid flow in fractured porous media. Specifically, the method accurately represents the impact of discrete fractures on flow and deformation, although the individual fractures are not part of the finite element mesh. A key feature of FM‐XFEM is its ability to model discontinuities in the domain independently of the computational mesh. The proposed FM approach is a continuum‐based approach that is used to model the flow interaction between the porous matrix and existing fractures via a transfer function. Fracture geometry is defined using the level set method. Therefore, in contrast to the discrete fracture flow model, the fracture representation is not meshed along with the computational domain. Consequently, the method is able to determine the influence of fractures on fluid flow within a fractured domain without the complexity of meshing the fractures within the domain. The XFEM component of the scheme addresses the discontinuous displacement field within elements that are intersected by existing fractures. In XFEM, enrichment functions are added to the standard finite element approximation to adequately resolve discontinuous fields within the simulation domain. Numerical tests illustrate the ability of the method to adequately describe the displacement and fluid pressure fields within a fractured domain at significantly less computational expense than explicitly resolving the fracture within the finite element mesh. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interaction between a circular opening and fractures originating from its boundary in a piecewise homogeneous plane

The complex variables boundary element method (CVBEM) is used to study interaction between a circular opening and fractures originating from its boundary in a piecewise homogeneous plane. A new complex hypersingular equation for piecewise homogeneous media with a circular opening is obtained. The equation is solved using the CVBEM technique with circular and straight boundary elements and polynomial approximations (with square root asymptotics for crack tip elements) for the unknown functions. The algorithm is verified through comparison with known semi‐analytical and numerical solutions that involve interaction between a circular opening and specific systems of cracks or other openings. New numerical results concerning the interaction of the circular opening with the cracks and circular inclusions are presented. The method is applied to an important problem in the petroleum industry: modelling propagation of hydraulic fractures in the vicinity of a borehole. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation of non‐planar three‐dimensional hydraulic fracture propagation

Hydraulic fracturing is the method of choice to enhance reservoir permeability and well efficiency for extraction of shale gas. Multi‐stranded non‐planar hydraulic fractures are often observed in stimulation sites. Non‐planar fractures propagating from wellbores inclined from the direction of maximum horizontal stress have also been reported. The pressure required to propagate non‐planar fractures is in general higher than in the case of planar fractures. Current computational methods for the simulation of hydraulic fractures generally assume single, symmetric, and planar crack geometries. In order to better understand hydraulic fracturing in complex‐layered naturally fractured reservoirs, fully 3D models need to be developed. In this paper, we present simulations of 3D non‐planar fracture propagation using an adaptive generalized FEM. This method greatly facilitates the discretization of complex 3D fractures, as finite element faces are not required to fit the crack surfaces. A solution strategy for fully automatic propagation of arbitrary 3D cracks is presented. The fracture surface on which pressure is applied is also automatically updated at each step. An efficient technique to numerically integrate boundary conditions on crack surfaces is also proposed and implemented. Strongly graded localized refinement and analytical asymptotic expansions are used as enrichment functions in the neighborhood of fracture fronts to increase the computational accuracy and efficiency of the method. Stress intensity factors with pressure on crack faces are extracted using the contour integral method. Various non‐planar crack geometries are investigated to demonstrate the robustness and flexibility of the proposed simulation methodology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of inherent microcrack populations on rock tensile fracture behaviour: numerical study based on embedded discontinuity finite elements

Inherent microcrack populations have a significant effect on the fracture behaviour of natural rocks. The present study addresses this topic in numerical simulations of uniaxial tension and three-point bending tests. For this end, a rock fracture model based on multiple intersecting embedded discontinuity finite elements is developed. The inherent (pre-existing) microcrack populations are represented by pre-embedded randomly oriented discontinuity populations. Crack shielding (through spurious locking) is prevented by allowing a new crack to be introduced, upon violation of the Rankine criterion, in an element with an initial crack unfavourably oriented to the loading direction. Rock heterogeneity is accounted for by random clusters of triangular finite elements representing different minerals of granitic numerical rock. Numerical simulations demonstrate the strength lowering effect of initial microcrack populations. This effect is substantially stronger under uniaxial tension, due to the uniform stress state, than in semicircular three-point bending having a non-uniform stress state with a clear local maximum of tensile stress.

     

Verification for numerical modelling of jointed rock mass using thin layer elements

Thin layer finite elements are employed to model the response of rock joints in finite element analyses of rock mechanics problems. The case of a circular opening embedded in a rock mass is investigated. Results are obtained for both solid and jointed rock masses, and the effects of the presence of joints on the stress and strain field are investigated. Results from the finite element analysis are verified with respect to measurements from physical modelling. It is shown that the comparison between measured and computed results is satisfactory and that the presence of joints has a pronounced effect on the stress and strain field as compared to that realized in the absence of any rock joints. This study provides valuable data which contribute to the verification of thin layer finite elements for modelling the response of rock joints.     

A numerical study of the influence from pre‐existing cracks on granite rock fragmentation at percussive drilling

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of pre‐existing, or structural, cracks on dynamic fragmentation of granite. Because of the complex behavior of rock materials, a continuum approach is employed relying upon a plasticity model with yield surface locus as a quadratic function of the mean pressure in the principal stress space coupled with an anisotropic damage model. In particular, Bohus granite rock is investigated, and the material parameters are chosen based on previous experiments. The equation of motion is discretized using a finite element approach, and the explicit time integration method is employed. The pre‐existing cracks are introduced in the model by considering sets of elements with negligible tensile strength that leads to their immediate failure when loaded in tension even though they still carry compressive loads as crack closure occurs because of compressive stresses. Previously performed edge‐on impact tests are reconsidered here to validate the numerical model. Percussive drilling is simulated, and the influence of the presence of pre‐existing cracks is studied. The results from the analysis with different crack lengths and orientations are compared in terms of penetration stiffness and fracture pattern. It is shown that pre‐existing cracks in all investigated cases facilitate the drilling process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于改进数值流形法的接触裂纹问题研究

接触裂纹问题在工程结构中较为常见。结合数值流形法在裂纹处理上的优势,分析了压剪荷载作用下的接触裂纹问题,模拟了压剪裂纹渐进扩展过程。为了减少由于裂纹尖端位置不同而产生的误差,对裂纹尖端附近一定范围内的每一个物理覆盖附加奇异覆盖函数项,并根据裂纹尖端位置和单元含奇异物理覆盖的数目进行分区积分。选取一个压剪破坏算例,分析了法向接触力对应力强度因子计算结果的影响,并模拟了其渐进破坏过程。计算结果表明,所提方法在压剪裂纹问题方面的可行性,与未细化和覆盖细化方法得到的结果相比,更能准确地描述裂纹扩展路径。法向接触力对II型应力强度因子的贡献为0,对I型应力强度因子的影响较大,相对误差随网格密度变化明显,且法向接触力对I型应力强度因子的影响要比直接施加内压时的影响大。     

压实黏土的脆性断裂模型及有限元算法

利用弥散裂缝理论,提出了压实黏土拉伸状态下的脆性断裂模型.当压实黏土达到其极限抗拉强度后,通过建立单元的各向异性刚度矩阵,将土体裂缝弥散于实体单元,构造了平面应变条件下考虑压实黏土脆性开裂的有限元计算模式.通过对某压实黏土单轴拉伸试验成果的模拟计算,验证了构建的脆性断裂模型和有限元算法对土体拉伸破坏特性和裂缝发展过程的适用性.本文还进行了模拟软弱面水压“楔劈效应”的简单数值试验,表明压实黏土脆性开裂模型和算法可较好地模拟裂缝扩展行为.