Mixed-mode dynamic crack propagation analysis in anisotropic functionally varying microcellular structures

For the first time, the mixed-mode dynamic fracture in anisotropic functionally varying microcellular structures is investigated herein. To this end, a recently developed homogenization MATLAB implementation capable of considering material and geometry-induced anisotropy is used, and a continuous medium with equivalent functionality distributed mechanical properties to the original microcellular domain is obtained. Then, the resulting material domain is subjected to dynamic loads, and the crack propagation is predicted by using a novel Timoshenko-based peridynamic model. This innovative method unprecedentedly accounts for a bond-length dependent shear influence factor and a shear strain-based failure criterion. Finally, numerous cases consisting of compact-tension (CT) and Kalthoff-Winkler specimens with several void sizes, shapes, and distribution patterns are numerically solved. The results demonstrate that the crack path is significantly influenced by the void distribution pattern near the crack tip, providing a foundation for engineering crack propagation to prevent it from reaching critical areas of a structure.