Seminar Schedule – Spring 2017

Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
Place: WRW 410

The Thick Level Set (TLS) damage model for quasi-brittle fracture: an overview

Nicolas Moes – Ecole Centrale de Nantes, France

The TLS model was designed to allow for a smooth transition to fracture. It belongs to the family of the non-local damage models and thus introduces a length. The twist in the TLS is that it incorporates geometrical aspects : the shape of the localization zone is located by a level set. So far, most of the effort have been concentrated to quasi-brittle fracture (but the model basic ideas have a broader possible scope of application). After restating the motivations for the new model, we review the results obtained in these past 5 years. Among other topics the following issues will be addressed: (1) Capability of the model to reproduce properly size effects; (2) Predictive capabilities for crack onsets at notches; (3) Theoretical issues regarding boundary conditions (with practical consequences!); (4) Capability of the model to take into account concurrent local and non-local development of damage; (5) Comparison with other non-local damage models; (6) Relationships with the cohesive zone model. Finally, a set of open issues will be detailed.

For further information, please contact Dr. K. Ravi-Chandar at ravi@utexas.edu or (512) 471-4213.