An evaluation of the MPM for simulating dynamic failure with damage diffusion

For dynamic brittle failure, conventional mesh-based methods, such as the finite element method and finite difference method, are handicapped when localized large deformations and subsequent transitions from continuous to discontinuous failure modes occur. To evaluate the potential of the material point method (MPM) in simulating dynamic brittle failure involving different failure modes, the essential features of the MPM are explored for wave and impact problems, and combined wave and diffusion problems are then solved by using the MPM. Through the comparison with the experimental, analytical and numerical data available, it appears that the MPM is a robust tool to simulate multi-physics problems such as dynamic failure under impact. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.