Dynamic Fracture Mechanics

Category: Structural Analysis | Integrated 2026-04-06
CAE visualization for dynamic fracture theory - technical simulation diagram
Dynamic Fracture Mechanics

Dynamic Fracture Mechanics: Theoretical Foundations

Dynamic Fracture Mechanics

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Professor, how is dynamic fracture different from static fracture?


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Dynamic fracture is a phenomenon where cracks propagate at high speeds. The crack tip velocity approaches the Rayleigh wave speed (the surface wave speed of the material). Brittle fracture due to impact loading and rapid crack propagation in pipelines are typical examples.


Dynamic SIF

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$$ K_I^{dyn}(t) = K_I^{stat} \cdot k(\dot{a}) $$

$k(\dot{a})$ is a dynamic correction factor dependent on crack velocity $\dot{a}$. As $\dot{a} \to c_R$ (Rayleigh wave speed), $k \to 0$.


Dynamic Fracture in FEM

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  • Explicit FEM — Impact loading + crack propagation. LS-DYNA element deletion or XFEM
  • Cohesive Elements — Dynamic crack propagation using CZM
  • Peridynamics — Mesh-free dynamic fracture

  • Summary

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    • Cracks propagate at high speed — Rayleigh wave speed is the upper limit
    • Dynamic SIF — Static SIF with velocity correction
    • Explicit FEM + Element Deletion/XFEM/CZM — FEM for dynamic fracture
    • Rapid crack propagation in pipelines — Main industrial application

    • Coffee Break Yomoyama Talk

      Why the Charpy Test Was Created

      The Charpy impact test was devised in 1901 by French engineer Georges Charpy to easily evaluate the brittle-ductile transition of steel. At the time, winter brittle fracture of steel bridges and pressure vessels had become a social issue. The requirement of 27J or more at -40°C (ISO standard) is still used today. It remains famous as a pioneering test in dynamic fracture mechanics.

      Computational Methods for Dynamic Fracture Mechanics

      FEM for Dynamic Fracture

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      ```

      *MAT_ADD_EROSION

      $ Element deletion based on maximum principal strain

      ```


      Abaqus/Explicit:

      ```

      DAMAGE INITIATION + DAMAGE EVOLUTION + STATUS

      ```

      Elements are deleted (STATUS) when damage reaches 1.0.


      Summary

      🎓
      • Explicit Method + Element Deletion — Standard for dynamic fracture
      • CZM — Dynamic fracture at interfaces
      • $\Delta t$ must be sufficiently small — To track waves at the crack tip

      • Coffee Break Yomoyama Talk

        Calculation Method for Dynamic Stress Intensity Factor Kd

        In dynamic fracture, the stress field changes over time due to stress wave propagation, so the quasi-static KIc cannot be used directly. The dynamic stress intensity factor KId is best determined from observations of crack tip stress fringes (coating method, isochromatic fringes) using high-speed cameras, but the virtual node force method in FEM can also achieve accuracy within ±10%. When propagation speed exceeds 0.3 times the Rayleigh wave speed, the KI/KId ratio changes drastically.

        Dynamic Fracture Mechanics in Practice

        Dynamic Fracture in Practice

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        Rapid crack propagation in pipelines (DF: Dynamic Fracture). Accidents where cracks propagate at sonic speeds in gas pipelines.


        Practical Checklist

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        • [ ] Does the mesh resolve the waves at the crack tip?
        • [ ] Are element deletion criteria (e.g., strain limit) based on material tests?
        • [ ] Has the energy balance been verified?

        • Coffee Break Yomoyama Talk

          Ductile Fracture in Automotive Crash Analysis

          In automotive crash safety analysis, determining whether steel sheets will fracture is crucial. Impact fracture of high-strength steel (590 MPa class) occurs at displacement speeds of 5-10 m/s, with fracture energy 20-30% lower than quasi-static fracture. Toyota used LS-DYNA's dynamic fracture model (Johnson-Cook criterion) to improve prediction accuracy for occupant protection structure fracture in side impacts to within ±15%.

          Dynamic Fracture Mechanics: Software & Solver Comparison

          Tools

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          • LS-DYNA — Element deletion. Standard for impact fracture.
          • Abaqus/Explicit — CZM + element deletion
          • Peridigm — Open-source peridynamics

          • Coffee Break Yomoyama Talk

            Capability of LS-DYNA Dynamic Fracture Analysis

            LS-DYNA implements multiple dynamic fracture analysis methods including SPH, EFG, and peridynamics. GM used LS-DYNA's XFEM feature (added in 2016) to analyze bumper crack propagation, achieving over 95% agreement with tests at time intervals of 5-10 ms. The combination with Material Type 24 (Johnson-Cook) in impact analysis is the standard in practice.

            Advanced Technologies

            Advanced Dynamic Fracture Mechanics: Modern Research & Trends in Dynamic Fracture

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            • Peridynamics — Mesh-free dynamic fracture. Strong for crack branching and merging.
            • Phase-Field Dynamic Fracture — Tracks dynamic cracks using continuous fields.
            • Coupled Impact and Fracture — SPH/ALE + fracture mechanics.

            • Coffee Break Yomoyama Talk

              Material Data for Strain Rate Dependent Fracture Toughness

              Dynamic fracture toughness KId strongly depends on strain rate dε/dt. For carbon steel A508, it decreases from quasi-static KIc=120 MPa√m to impact KId=60-80 MPa√m (at strain rate 1000 /s). This difference is critical in thermal shock analysis of reactor pressure vessels. ASME Code Appendix G specifies a procedure to determine correction factors from estimated strain rates.

              Dynamic Fracture Mechanics: Common Issues & Debugging

              Dynamic Fracture Troubles

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              • Cracks propagate along mesh lines → Element deletion is mesh-dependent. XFEM is mesh-independent.
              • Unphysical crack branching → Check the damage evolution law. The crack branching criterion may be too sensitive.
              • Energy imbalance → Verify hourglass control and contact settings. In explicit analysis, total energy should be conserved.

              • Coffee Break Yomoyama Talk

                Common Mistakes in Dynamic Fracture Analysis

                A frequent mistake is using static material properties for dynamic fracture. For example, the fracture toughness of steel can drop by 30-50% under impact. Another is neglecting stress wave reflections from boundaries, which can cause unrealistic stress concentrations. In pipeline rapid crack propagation analysis, using the wrong gas decompression model leads to significant errors in arrest prediction.

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