title: Dynamic fracture in a discrete model of a brittle elastic solid
abstract: Dynamic fracture of brittle materials is studied by means of a molecular dynamics simulation of a two-dimensional (2D) lattice of point particles. By a particular discretization of the continuum equations of elasticity, we derive the Born model in such a way that the model parameters are related to the material properties. Numerical simulations are performed, which show a branching instability, under Mode I loading, occurring at a critical crack tip speed. The analysis of the dynamical stress tensor field near the tip shows a qualitative similarity to Yoffe's stress field.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisica Fundamental, Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia, C/Senda del Rey s/n, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Espanol
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zuniga