A discrete model for fracture of rigid solids based on a damaging interface

Abstract

We describe the progressive and delayed fracture of rigid solids by a discrete modelling. Each rigid solid is considered as an assembly of particles with initial cohesive bonds, the latter decreasing progressively during the loading. A damaging interface model is proposed to describe this progressive pehenomenon. This model has been implemented in a numerical code based on a discrete element method. The illustrative example is related to the crushing of an assembly of rigid solids - i.e. a granular medium - due to an œdometric compression.