Modeling of the fragmentation by Discrete Element Method

Abstract
The aim of this presentation is to validate the Discrete Element Method (DEM) approach to treat dynamic fragmentation problems. The method, which meshes a domain with discrete particles that can possibly debond and contact, is ideally suited to model structures under severe damage. The validation test consists of a simple one dimensional ceramic beam model, which is subjected to intense tensile loading, up to fragmentation. The paper studies the fracture energy dissipated (or number of fragments) during fragmentation as function of number of particles. The obtained results are systematically compared to results obtained through a continuum approach. We show that the fracture energy dissipated in the DEM converges to a well-defined value which is function of the imposed strain rate and material properties, in close accordance to continuum approaches.