title: Atomistic simulations of J-integral in 2D graphene nanosystems.
abstract: The J-integral is investigated in discrete atomic systems using molecular mechanics simulations. A method of calculating J-integral in specified atomic domains is developed. Two cases, a semiinfinite crack in an infinite domain under the remote K-field deformation and a finite crack length in a finite geometry under the tensile and shear deformation prescribed on the boundary, are studied in the two-dimensional graphene sheets and the values of J-integral are obtained under small-strain deformation. The comparison with energy release rates in Mode I and Mode II based on continuum theory of linear elastic fracture mechanics show good agreements. Meanwhile, the nonlinear strain and stress relation of a 2D graphene sheet is evaluated and is fitted with a power law curve. With necessary modifications on the Tersoff-Brenner potential, the critical values of J-integral of 2D graphene systems, which denoted as Jc, are eventually obtained. The results are then compared with those from the relevant references.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7921, USA.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D008962:Models, Theoretical; D036103:Nanotechnology