Modeling of Fracturing and Localization

Modeling fracture initiation and propagation has been a major active research area. In a set of studies, I have used XFEM and damage mechanics to describe fracture propagation.

I have then used the framework to model different fracture modes along with experimental validations.

My major PHD contribution is description of localization in XFEM framework. Additionally, I re-described the embedded discontinuity model to describe discrete cracking and localization. I have also extended the framework to account for material anisotropy. It also resulted to description of discontinuous Fourier law. An example can be seen here:

After validation of the model on trial axial experiments, we then use the framework to describe slope stability analysis: