Finite element modeling of dynamic crack branching using the moving mesh technique

Crack branching in brittle materials is a critical phenomenon that accelerates fragmentation and may lead to sudden failure. This work presents an enhanced finite element model to simulate dynamic crack propagation and branching using a Moving Mesh (MM) technique based on the Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) formulation. The MM technique dynamically adapts the computational mesh to crack evolution without frequent remeshing, significantly improving computational efficiency. Crack initiation, propagation, and branching are governed by fracture mechanics-based criteria. Unlike traditional FEM procedures, the proposed approach avoids using specific branching angle criteria, which typically provide the angle between new branches and the original crack plane immediately after a crack branching event. Leveraging the efficacy of the MM technique, the branching angle is determined naturally, thus simplifying the modeling process and reducing the need for user-defined parameters. The accuracy and robustness of the proposed model are demonstrated through three benchmark cases, with results validated against experimental and numerical data from the literature. The simulations show that the method reliably predicts crack paths and crack branching time, highlighting its potential as a powerful tool for investigating dynamic fracture processes in brittle materials.