On crack propagation in brittle material using the distinct lattice spring model

With the rapid development of high-performance computing, Lattice Spring Models (LSMs) using a simple fracturing law demonstrate many prospects for simulating crack propagation in brittle solids. In this paper, a comprehensive study on crack propagation in brittle material is conducted using the distinct lattice spring model (DLSM) with high-performance computing and physical tests on crack propagation in brittle material from this work and the literature. The relationship between the simple fracturing law and the fracture criterion based on linear elastic fracture mechanics is investigated for the first time. The work involved includes the correlation between the Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) and spring deformation, the influence of the particle size on fracture toughness, and the relationship between the micro-spring failure and the critical stress intensity factors. Our results indicate that the simple fracturing law based on spring deformation may be easier and more fundamental for understanding crack propagation in brittle materials than fracture-toughness-based criteria. The applicability of the simple fracturing law is further confirmed from numerical modelling of crack propagation and coalescence problems with complex pre-existing cracks. Our results show that models with an appropriate resolution can simulate the crack path reasonably. Finally, the advantages of using the simple fracturing law are highlighted through multiple dynamic crack propagation and three-dimensional fracturing.