Numerical simulations of quasibrittle fracture processes using the discrete cohesive crack model

The analysis of quasibrittle fracture processes, described via Hillerborg’s classical discrete cohesive model, is carried out within a direct (collocation) boundary element framework. Both holonomic (path-independent) and nonholonomic (path-dependent) simulations are considered for a general class of nonlinear softening laws. In particular, a simple numerical scheme, albeit one which requires some a priori knowledge of possible fracture activations, is proposed for the analyses. The potentialities of the method are illustrated through two examples concerning the well-known three-point bending and two-notch tensile problems.