⚙️ Predicting Failure Modes with FDEM – Understanding Loading Conditions in Brittle Materials

The way a material fails under load can be just as important as its initial strength. Will it fail catastrophically, or will it retain some post-failure strength?

I have validated the finite-discrete element method (FDEM) with experimental data, demonstrating its ability to not only capture the strength of brittle materials like rock, concrete, and ceramics, but also accurately reproduce fragment size distribution after failure.

I have validated the finite-discrete element method (FDEM) with experimental data, demonstrating its ability to not only capture the strength of brittle materials like rock, concrete, and ceramics, but also accurately reproduce fragment size distribution after failure.

I have validated the finite-discrete element method (FDEM) with experimental data, demonstrating its ability to not only capture the strength of brittle materials like rock, concrete, and ceramics, but also accurately reproduce fragment size distribution after failure.

I have validated the finite-discrete element method (FDEM) with experimental data, demonstrating its ability to not only capture the strength of brittle materials like rock, concrete, and ceramics, but also accurately reproduce fragment size distribution after failure.

🔍 What is FDEM?

The Finite Discrete Element Method (FDEM) is a powerful numerical approach that combines:

✔️ Finite elements to calculate stresses and deformations
✔️ Discrete elements to model contact, friction, and motion
✔️ Joint elements to simulate fracture propagation and material breakage

Our latest research on "Permeability Development During Fault Growth and Slip in Granite" has been published in JGR Solid Earth. This work explores how permeability evolves during faulting in crystalline rocks, with implications for fluid flow in the Earth’s crust.

Simulating Brittle Failure with FDEM – Insights from the Brazilian Disc Test

The Brazilian disc test is a widely used method to determine the tensile strength of brittle materials, such as rock and concrete, by applying compressive loads along the edges of a disc until it fractures.

🚀 Exploring Phase-Field Models for Shape Optimisation 🎯

Just finished “A phase-field model for shape optimisation : A simple and flexible approach”—and it’s a great paper! 📖 The authors present an elegant way to tackle shape optimisation using a straightforward phase-field model.

Last week, I had the pleasure of delivering a seminar at the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), exploring the exciting intersection of computational mechanics and machine learning in geomechanics.