MODELING FRACTURE IN FUNCTIONALLY GRADED MATERIALS WITH PHASE-FIELD METHOD

Phase field fracture predictions in functionally graded plates are carried out using exponential finite element shape functions. The rule of mixtures is employed to estimate the material properties according to the volume fractions of the constituent materials, which have been varied according to given grading profiles. Crack propagation paths and load deflection behaviors are investigated in paradigmatic examples of single-edge notched plate specimens to gain insight into the crack growth resistance of FGMs by conducting numerical experiments over a wide range of material gradation profiles and orientations.
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