Aplicação do método dos elementos discretos formados por barras na simulação de processo de ruptura de materiais quase frágeis

Abstract

The materials classified as heterogeneous almost fragile, among them the ceramics, has a random nature that must be analyzed to represent correctly its mechanical properties. When these materials are submitted to states of stresses and deformations, in particular situations, a catastrophic failure of the structure may occur. The method of discrete elements formed by bars (Lattice Discrete Element Method - LDEM) is a computational algorithm that allows simulating the behavior of almost fragile heterogeneous materials until their rupture. The method consists of representing as concentrated masses of materials in nodal points and their rigidity in one-dimensional elements. The objective of this work is to compare the values of the mechanical properties of refractory ceramic materials obtained through experimental studies with the results provided by the by Lattice Discrete Element Method (LDEM) as well as load tensile and compression loads in models of different sizes varying its boundary conditions. As a result of this work it is possible to observe the convergence of results obtained with a simulation with the LDEM with the results obtained experimentally and to verify the influence of the boundary conditions adopted in the final results.