2025-12-19
060779
Crack Models in FEA: a) Discrete and b) Smeared
Discrete (a) and smeared (b) crack modeling concepts with finite elements in civil engineering.
The image illustrates two main approaches to crack modeling: the discrete and the smeared methods. The discrete approach models cracks explicitly along predetermined paths, while the smeared method represents crack zones distributed across a continuum. Both concepts are relevant in finite element analysis for describing crack behavior in materials.