Multiscale modeling of interacting fracture networks

This study introduces a theoretical and numerical model for the spontaneous nucleation and propagation of distributed brittle fractures in initially intact materials. The formulation adopts a kinematicdescription of nested discontinuities characterized by a micromechanical interface law accounting for cohesion, unilateral contact and friction. The model allows for a unified treatment of the mixed-mode frictional fracture. The implementation of the model into a finiteelement framework is validated against benchmarktests, exhibiting independence of the discretization. The solution of selected quasi-static boundary valueproblems demonstrates the predictive capabilities of the framework in capturing key features observed in laboratory tests and in problems involving confined quasi-brittle materials.