The modelling of multi-fracturing solids and particulate media

Computational strategies in the context of combined discrete/finite element methods for effective modelling of large-scale practical problems involving multiple fracture and discrete phenomena are reviewed in the present work. The issues considered include: (1) Fracture criteria and propagation mechanisms within both the finite and discrete elements, together with mesh adaptivity procedures for discretization and introduction of fracture systems; (2) Detection procedures for monitoring contact between large numbers of discrete elements; (3) Interaction laws governing the response of contact pairs; (4) Parallel implementation; (5) Other issues, such as element methodology for near incompressible behaviour and generation of random packing of discrete objects. The applicability of the methodology developed is illustrated through selected practical examples