PSI - Issue 79

Domenico Ammendolea et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 79 (2026) 467–474

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Figure 5. Case study: Final crack path.

5. Conclusions This study introduces an efficient and robust Finite Element (FE) modeling strategy specifically designed to simulate dynamic crack propagation and branching in brittle materials. The core of this proposed method is the use of the MM technique (Material Manifold) combined with the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) formulation. This combination allows the system to naturally track evolving cracks, effectively minimizing the frequent remeshing typically required by standard FE methods. The result is a significant boost in computational efficiency. Validation across a benchmark case confirmed the method's accuracy in predicting crack trajectories, particularly the branching time. A key strength is that the MM technique allows the branching angle to emerge naturally from the maximum hoop stress criterion, thereby avoiding the need for a predefined branching angle. Limitations include the model's sensitivity to the choice of the fracture function for branching onset. 6. Acknowledgements Arturo Pascuzzo gratefully acknowledges financial support from Telematic University Pegaso for the research grant “Development of innovative materials, techniques and technologies and sustainable processes for obtaining bioproducts in the industrial, civil and medical fields”. 7. References Agwai, A., Guven, I., Madenci, E., 2011. Predicting crack propagation with peridynamics: a comparative study. International Journal of Fracture 171, 65-78. Ammendolea, D., Fabbrocino, F., Leonetti, L., Lonetti, P., Pascuzzo, A., 2025a. Finite element modeling of dynamic crack branching using the moving mesh technique. Engineering Fracture Mechanics 327, 111438. Ammendolea, D., Greco, F., Leonetti, L., Lonetti, P., 2025b. A cohesive/bulk homogenization-based multiscale approach for investigating fracture phenomena in anisotropic microstructured materials. Progress in Engineering Science 2, 100091. Ammendolea, D., Greco, F., Leonetti, L., Lonetti, P., Pascuzzo, A., 2023. A numerical failure analysis of nano-filled ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete structures via a moving mesh approach. Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics 125, 103877. Ammendolea, D., Greco, F., Leonetti, L., Lonetti, P., Pascuzzo, A., 2025c. An adaptive two-scale model for phase-field fracture simulation in microstructured materials. Composite Structures 370, 119434. Belytschko, T., Chen, H., Xu, J., Zi, G., 2003. Dynamic crack propagation based on loss of hyperbolicity and a new discontinuous enrichment. 58, 1873-1905. Borden, M. J., Verhoosel, C. V., Scott, M. A., Hughes, T. J. R., Landis, C. M., 2012. A phase-field description of dynamic brittle fracture. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 217-220, 77-95. Bruno, D., Greco, F., Lonetti, P., 2009. Dynamic Mode I and Mode II Crack Propagation in Fiber Reinforced Composites. Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures 16, 442-455. Bruno, D., Greco, F., Lonetti, P., 2013. A fracture-ALE formulation to predict dynamic debonding in FRP strengthened concrete beams. Composites Part B: Engineering 46, 46-60. Caporale, A., Feo, L., Luciano, R., 2012. Limit analysis of FRP strengthened masonry arches via nonlinear and linear programming. Composites