Using the discrete element method to simulate brittle fracture in the indentation of a silica glass with a blunt indenter

Abstract

The mechanical behavior of materials is usually simulated by a continuous mechanics approach. However, noncontinuous phenomena such as multi-fracturing cannot be accurately simulated using a continuous description. The discrete element method (DEM) naturally accounts for discontinuities and is therefore a good alternative to the continuum approach. This study continues previous work in which a DEM model was developed to quantitatively simulate an elastic material with the cohesive beam bond model. The simulation of brittle cracks is now tackled. This goal is attained by computing a failure criterion based on an equivalent hydrostatic stress. This microscopic criterion is then calibrated to fit experimental values of the macroscopic failure stress. The simulation results are compared to experimental results of indentation tests in which a spherical indenter is used to load a silica glass, which is considered to be a perfectly brittle elastic material.