Spreading of localised damage is studied by means of computer simulations for a cubic lattice system. Crack growth is modelled as a process of energy dissipation and energy transfer among cubes in the system. We prepare systems of different energy distributions among cubes, supply a large energy to one cube on the system surface, and pursue the evolution of cracks initiated by this local energy supply. It is shown that there is a critical energy per cube above which a local energy supply causes drastic crack extension leading to severe damage spreading. Different patterns of damage spreading are disscussed in terms of energy dissipation.
展开▼
