Virtual Elements for Fracture Processes

Fracture processes occur in different environments and define the lifespan of many engineering structures. To illustrate the effects of fracture in more detail one can think of its negative implications like failure of large structures, e.g. bridges, ships and vessels. Further instances are shattered glass, a broken leg, a ruptured aorta, a torn sail, a broken car part, a cracked beam among many others. Fracture processes can also be on purpose and useful as in chip forming during cutting, tearing open of packages along precut lines and breaking off of chocolate pieces.