Finite element analysis on evolution process for damage microcrack healing

Based on the thermal kinetic and mass conservation, a series of controlling equations for the finite element were derived and related programs were developed to simulate the damage microcrack healing process controlled by surface diffusion. Two kinds of typical models for microcrack splitting were proposed, i.e., the grain boundary energy existing on the crack surface and residual stresses applying on the crack surface. And the conditions of microcrack splitting in the two models were given as a function of the microcrack aspect ratio. The microcrack with traction-free surfaces will directly evolve into a spheroid.