A continuous-discontinuous approach to simulate fracture processes in quasi-brittle materials

A macroscopic framework for the simulation of failure processes in quasi-brittle materials is proposed. The framework employs the partition of unity (PU) concept and introduces a new cohesive zone model, capturing the transition between the initial continuum state and the final discrete state. The model is generic in a sense that it allows extension of most continuum models to a discontinuous framework in an efficient and robust way, thereby adding the effect of macro-crack formation by the growth and coalescence of micro-defects. Both material failure and interface failure can be studied with this formulation.