Efficient Fracture Modeling in Beam–Column Structures Using a Variational Damage Model

authored by: Huilong Ren, Xiaoying Zhuang, Yehui Bie, Hehua Zhu, Timon Rabczuk
Abstract: Traditional fracture modeling in structural mechanics (e.g., beams, bars/columns) often relies on solid elements, leading to computationally intensive simulations. In this study, we present a variational damage model specifically designed for structural mechanics to enhance the efficiency of fracture simulations in beam–column structures. The model accounts for the coupling effects of in-plane and bending deformations on damage evolution through a new mixed fracture energy density formulation. For the numerical implementation, Hermite elements are employed for beam structures in both 2D and 3D to ensure C1 continuity. The proposed formulation accurately captures the evolution of fractures in structures and demonstrates low sensitivity to mesh discretization. In addition, the proposed model significantly reduces computational cost by using fewer elements compared to solid-based fracture simulations. The effectiveness of the model is illustrated through representative 2D and 3D numerical examples that showcase its capability in structural fracture simulations.
Organisation(s): Institute of Photonics
External Organisation(s): Tongji University
Peking University
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Type: Article
Journal: International Journal of Computational Methods
Volume: 22
ISSN: 0219-8762
Publication date: 11.2025
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Computer Science (miscellaneous), Computational Mathematics
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219876225500161 (Access: Closed)
: Details in the research portal "Research@Leibniz University"

BibTeX

@article{edbb82bf83824fc0beeaf44d690d74dd,
title = "Efficient Fracture Modeling in Beam–Column Structures Using a Variational Damage Model",
abstract = "Traditional fracture modeling in structural mechanics (e.g., beams, bars/columns) often relies on solid elements, leading to computationally intensive simulations. In this study, we present a variational damage model specifically designed for structural mechanics to enhance the efficiency of fracture simulations in beam–column structures. The model accounts for the coupling effects of in-plane and bending deformations on damage evolution through a new mixed fracture energy density formulation. For the numerical implementation, Hermite elements are employed for beam structures in both 2D and 3D to ensure C1 continuity. The proposed formulation accurately captures the evolution of fractures in structures and demonstrates low sensitivity to mesh discretization. In addition, the proposed model significantly reduces computational cost by using fewer elements compared to solid-based fracture simulations. The effectiveness of the model is illustrated through representative 2D and 3D numerical examples that showcase its capability in structural fracture simulations.",
keywords = "beam element, damage mechanics, Fracture, structural mechanics, variational principle",
author = "Huilong Ren and Xiaoying Zhuang and Yehui Bie and Hehua Zhu and Timon Rabczuk",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 World Scientific Publishing Company.",
year = "2025",
month = nov,
doi = "10.1142/S0219876225500161",
language = "English",
volume = "22",
journal = "International Journal of Computational Methods",
issn = "0219-8762",
publisher = "World Scientific",
number = "9",
}

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