A phase field - UEL framework for crack branching simulation in concrete
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https://doi.org/10.15625/0866-7136/23425Keywords:
crack branching, crack propagation, phase field, UEL, ABAQUSAbstract
Crack branching significantly affects the fracture behavior of concrete, yet its modeling remains challenging due to the quasi-brittle nature of the material. This study presents an implementation of the Phase Field Method (PFM) within Abaqus using a User Element (UEL) subroutine to simulate the initiation and propagation of cracks in pre-notched concrete plates. The proposed framework enables a continuous description of fracture without explicit crack surface tracking, thus providing numerical stability when complex branching occurs. Through a series of simulations, the influence of material properties, loading configurations, and mesh resolution on crack evolution is examined. The findings demonstrate that the PFM--UEL framework can effectively capture branching patterns and deliver consistent fracture responses, thereby underscoring its potential as a robust tool for analyzing concrete failure and supporting future data-driven modeling efforts.
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