Dynamic formulation of phase field fracture in heterogeneous media with finite thickness cohesive interfaces

Robust numerical prediction of crack propagation in heterogeneous media has been a matter of relevant importance in many engineering applications. In this study, a modelling framework for triggering dynamic fracture events in heterogeneous media, like layered materials, with internal finite thickness cohesive interfaces is proposed through the exploitation of the combined use of the phase field approach to fracture and the interface cohesive zone model to simulate the interplay between bulk and interface cracking. The proposed formulation is constructed via a consistent variational formalism leading to a coupled system of equations, which are solved using a staggered solution scheme. Representative applications examine the robustness of the computational approach, exhibiting results consistent with experimental evidences available in the literature.