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Updated: Nov 7, 2025
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A Method for Studying the Temperature Dependence of Dynamic Fracture and Fragmentation
Published on: June 28, 2015
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A Unified Abaqus Implementation of the Phase Field Fracture Method Using Only a User Material Subroutine
Yousef Navidtehrani1, Covadonga Betegón1, Emilio Martínez-Pañeda2
1Department of Construction and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Oviedo, 33203 Gijón, Spain.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 30, 2021
Summary
This study introduces a straightforward phase field fracture method in Abaqus using a user material subroutine. This robust implementation simplifies crack modeling and is freely available.
Area of Science:
- Computational mechanics
- Materials science
- Numerical modeling
Background:
- The phase field fracture method is a powerful tool for simulating crack propagation.
- Existing implementations often require complex user element subroutines.
- A simplified approach is needed to enhance accessibility and leverage existing software features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a simple and robust implementation of the phase field fracture method in Abaqus.
- To avoid the need for user element meshes by exploiting analogies with heat transfer.
- To provide a unified framework applicable to various crack density functions and fracture driving forces.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a user material (UMAT) subroutine in Abaqus.
- Exploited the analogy between the phase field balance equation and heat transfer.
- Developed a unified theoretical framework implemented within Abaqus.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a robust implementation applicable to 2D and 3D problems.
- Successfully reproduced numerical and experimental results from existing literature.
- Captured advanced fracture phenomena including complex crack paths and nucleation.
Conclusions:
- The presented UMAT implementation offers a simplified and robust approach to phase field fracture modeling in Abaqus.
- The method is versatile, handling various fracture models (AT1, AT2, PF-CZM) and solution schemes.
- The freely available code facilitates further research and application in computational fracture mechanics.
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