Mathematics

In this talk, I will present some applications of Gamma-convergence to fracture mechanics. I will start by recalling a classical result by Ambrosio and Tortorelli, which guarantees that gradient damage models Gamma-converge to a fracture model for brittle materials. Then I will present a model for elasto-plastic materials in which damage and plasticity are coupled. I will study the limit behavior of this model, and I will explain why it can be interpreted as a cohesive zone model for elasto-plastic materials.