Fully discrete approximation of rate-independent damage models with gradient regularization

This work provides a convergence analysis of a time-discrete scheme coupled with a finite-element approximation in space for a model for partial, rate-independent damage featuring a gradient regularization as well as a non-smooth constraint to account for the unidirectionality of the damage evolution. The numerical algorithm to solve the coupled problem of quasistatic small strain linear elasticity with rate-independent gradient damage is based on a Variable ADMM-method to approximate the nonsmooth contribution. Space-discretization is based on P1 finite elements and the algorithm directly couples the time-step size with the spatial grid size h. For a wide class of gradient regularizations, which allows both for Sobolev functions of integrability exponent r ∈ (1, ∞) and for BV-functions, it is shown that solutions obtained with the algorithm approximate as h → 0 a semistable energetic solution of the original problem. The latter is characterized by a minimality property for the displacements, a semistability inequality for the damage variable and an energy dissipation estimate. Numerical benchmark experiments confirm the stability of the method

Fully discrete approximation of rate-independent damage models with gradient regularization

This work provides a convergence analysis of a time-discrete scheme coupled with a finite-element approximation in space for a model for partial, rate-independent damage featuring a gradient regularization as well as a non-smooth constraint to account for the unidirectionality of the damage evolution. The numerical algorithm to solve the coupled problem of quasistatic small strain linear elasticity with rate-independent gradient damage is based on a Variable ADMM-method to approximate the nonsmooth contribution. Space-discretization is based on P1 finite elements and the algorithm directly couples the time-step size with the spatial grid size h. For a wide class of gradient regularizations, which allows both for Sobolev functions of integrability exponent r ∈ (1, ∞) and for BV-functions, it is shown that solutions obtained with the algorithm approximate as h → 0 a semistable energetic solution of the original problem. The latter is characterized by a minimality property for the displacements, a semistability inequality for the damage variable and an energy dissipation estimate. Numerical benchmark experiments confirm the stability of the method

Approximation schemes for materials with discontinuities

Damage and fracture phenomena are related to the evolution of discontinuities both in space and in time. This contribution deals with methods from mathematical and numerical analysis to handle these: Suitable mathematical formulations and time-discrete schemes for problems with discontinuities in time are presented. For the treatment of problems with discontinuities in space, the focus lies on FE-methods for minimization problems in the space of functions of bounded variation. The developed methods are used to introduce fully discrete schemes for a rate-independent damage model and for the viscous approximation of a model for dynamic phase-field fracture. Convergence of the schemes is discussed

Approximation schemes for materials with discontinuities

Damage and fracture phenomena are related to the evolution of discontinuities both in space and in time. This contribution deals with methods from mathematical and numerical analysis to handle these: Suitable mathematical formulations and time-discrete schemes for problems with discontinuities in time are presented. For the treatment of problems with discontinuities in space, the focus lies on FE-methods for minimization problems in the space of functions of bounded variation. The developed methods are used to introduce fully discrete schemes for a rate-independent damage model and for the viscous approximation of a model for dynamic phase-field fracture. Convergence of the schemes is discussed