TY - JOUR T1 - A model for crack growth with branching and kinking JF - Asymptotic Analysis Y1 - 2014 A1 - Simone Racca KW - quasistatic crack evolution, branching, kinking, Griffith\\\'s criterion AB -

We study an evolution model for fractured elastic materials in the 2-dimensional case, for which the crack path is not assumed to be known a priori. We introduce some general assumptions on the structure of the fracture sets suitable to remove the restrictions on the regularity of the crack sets and to allow for kinking and branching to develop. In addition we define the front of the fracture and its velocity. By means of a time-discretization approach, we prove the existence of a continuous-time evolution that satisfies an energy inequality and a stability criterion. The energy balance also takes into account the energy dissipated at the front of the fracture. The stability criterion is stated in the framework of Griffith's theory, in terms of the energy release rate, when the crack grows at least at one point of its front.

PB - SISSA VL - 89 UR - https://content.iospress.com/articles/asymptotic-analysis/asy1233 IS - 1-2 U1 - 6293 U2 - Mathematics U4 - 1 U5 - MAT/05 ANALISI MATEMATICA ER -