Intergranular fracture in polycrystals is often simulated by finite elements coupled to a cohesive zone model for the interfaces, requiring cohesive laws for grain boundaries as a function of their geometry. We discuss three challenges in understanding intergranular fracture in polycrystals. First, 3D grain boundary geometries comprise a five-dimensional space. Second, the energy and peak stres...

The aim of the present paper is a systematic elaboration of a three dimensional finite element analysis tool for discontinuous fracture in brittle solids. Brittle or quasi-brittle fracture usually occurs when a material reaches the limit of its strength and no plastic deformation has been observed prior to failure. In this novel approach, this kind of failure is characterized by three sets of g...

Interface delamination is the major weakness limiting diamond coating tool performance in machining. Thus, quantitative characterizations of the interface behavior are important to better understand and design diamond coating tools. In this study, we attempt to apply a cohesive zone model to investigate the coating-substrate interface behavior. The cohesive zone model is based on the traction-s...

A ®nite element model for investigating damage evolution in brittle matrix composites was developed. This modeling is based on an axisymmetric unit cell composed of a ®ber and its surrounding matrix. The unit cell was discretized into linearly elastic elements for the ®ber and the matrix and cohesive elements which allow cracking in the matrix, ®ber-matrix interface, and ®ber. The cohesive elem...

The present paper is concerned with modelling damage and fracture in notched woven fabric composites. Previous experimental work has shown that damage at a notch in a variety of GFRP and CFRP composites based on woven fabric reinforcement comprises matrix damage and fibre tow fracture along the plane of maximum stress. It is these experimental observations that inform the failure modelling deve...