A new phase field fracture model for brittle materials that accounts for elastic anisotropy

In this manuscript, a new phase field model of brittle fracture is proposed that accounts for any elastic anisotropy using spectral decomposition of the stress. To verify the model, both Mode I and Mode II fracture simulations were performed to ensure that the correct crack paths were predicted. Next, the fracture of face-centered cubic (FCC) and hexagonal close packed (HCP) single crystals was modeled, comparing the impact of crystal orientation on the stress–strain curve. Third, fracture in an HCP bicrystal was simulated and the impact of crystal orientation on the crack paths and stress–strain curves was studied. Finally, a polycrystal structure was simulated to study the impact of crystallographic texture on transgranular fracture.