Applying Molecular Dynamics to Fracture,
Abstract
The stress and strain fields of continuum fracture mechanics include unrealistic divergences at crack tips. These divergences can be avoided by using a detailed atomistic description. Such a description automatically characterizes the crack-propagation process. With current computing capabilities there is no difficulty in treating three-dimensional crystal lattices with complicated interparticle forces. In real metals the presence of lattice defects, including the crack tip itself, and the dependence of the forces on these defects preclude quantitative agreement with experiment, so that the computer simulations can be expected to provide understanding of experimental trends rather than replication of experimental results. The experiments described by using shadow patterns to measure the strength of strain fields near moving crack tips, contained interesting time dependent fluctuations. We have made an attempt to understand the structure of the rapidly moving cracks and to simulate the shadow patterns numerically. The particle trajectories are generated using molecular dynamics, and then shadow patterns are developed and compared with experimental results. This work will be described at length in a forthcoming thesis. Here we only outline the methods used, results obtained, and the problems remaining.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADP003104
Entities
People
- W. G. Hoover
Organizations
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory