Numerical analysis of crack path stability in brittle porous materials

• Fracture behavior in porous materials of different relative densities are investigated. Crack paths low-density solids heavily influenced by the microstructure, whereas, high-density controlled global remote load. Transition cracking is at around 50% density. Porous widely used engineering applications because their high stiffness, strength, and low Those advantages mainly due to open microstructures, which also makes it challenging obtain a thorough understanding fracture mechanisms predict trustworthy crack paths. In this study, we analyse numerically trajectories brittle with varying porosity (or density) subject mixed-mode loading conditions using phase-field theory for fracture. The results reveal that (low very from those (high density). latter resemble stable homogeneous solids, whereas former seems somewhat arbitrary, more stochastic. materials, governed local microstructure rather than loading. A key observation there transition behaviour 50%. At above 50%, material behaves nearly as classical continuum, reasonably well captured traditional mechanics theories. stochastic nature examined.