The modelling of multi-fracturing solids and particulate media

Computational strategies in the context of combined discrete/finite element methods for effective modelling of large‐scale practical problems involving multiple fracture and discrete phenomena are reviewed in the present work. The issues considered include: (1) Fracture criteria and propagation mechanisms within both the finite and discrete elements, together with mesh adaptivity procedures for discretization and introduction of fracture systems; (2) Detection procedures for monitoring contact between large numbers of discrete elements; (3) Interaction laws governing the response of contact pairs; (4) Parallel implementation; (5) Other issues, such as element methodology for near incompressible behaviour and generation of random packing of discrete objects. The applicability of the methodology developed is illustrated through selected practical examples. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.