Modeling slope stability with the phase field finite element approach
Modeling slope stability with the phase field finite element approach
Phase field method has become a popular approach to model fracture and failure of materials. In the present work, we present a simple phase field model to predict the failure mode in slope stability problems. The phase field model is formulated within the usual small strain assumption while the quadratic degradation function describes the damage. Moreover, in order to capture the proper failure mode, the crack driving force is based on a Mohr-Coulomb type energy function. The irreversible nature of damage is accounted for by a typical monotonous history variable. The global equations for the fracture phase field and displacement field are solved with a staggered approach. The model is implemented with the standard linear triangle element leading to simple closed form of equations. To demonstrate the model performance, a slope stability problem under self-weight is solved.
T. Saksala; Reijo Kouhia
18th African Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ARCSMGE2024)
Behavior of soils, analysis and modeling
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