Failure criteria for quasi‐brittle materials in lattice‐type models

Abstract Failure criteria for quasi‐brittle materials are considered in the context of a lattice‐type modelling framework. The criteria are implemented and assessed in macro‐scale lattice‐type models realised through bonded, linked particle assemblies constructed in a DEM framework. Several simple strategies consider failure of individual lattice elements based either on the local conditions at link elements or on the ‘homogenized’ conditions at an associated continuum point, with both elastic‐brittle and elastic‐ softening plasticity models employed. In spite of observed solution noise, model performance in coarse, macro‐scale triangular lattice‐type assemblies supports the importance of including both softening and homogenized failure criteria in order to objectively reproduce softening behaviour of an equivalent continuum. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.