Phase field modeling and computer implementation: A review

This paper presents an overview of the theories and computer implementation aspects phase field models (PFM) fracture. The advantage PFM over discontinuous approaches to fracture is that can elegantly simulate complicated processes including initiation, propagation, coalescence, branching by using only a scalar field, field. In addition, natural outcome simulation obtained through solution additional differential equation related No extra criteria are needed explicit representation crack surface as well complex track procedures avoided in for fracture, which turn dramatically facilitates implementation. thermodynamically consistent be easily extended multi-physics problem 'changing' energy functional accordingly. Besides different PFMs, we also present comparative numerical benchmark examples show capability PFMs.