Modeling of thermal shrinkage induced-cracking in brittle material using particle discretization scheme finite element method

This article presents the formulation and implementation of thermal-shrinkage-induced-cracking to study a possible use of a LASER for demolishing RC structures. Convective and radiative cooling, coupled with deformation and cracking, are rigorously treated, and related modules are implemented into a higher-order particle-discretization finite element method (HO-PDS-FEM). Developed modules are verified comparing with analytical solutions, and validated by comparing with observations from a quenching experiment. Cutting of an RC block using a LASER beam is analyzed. The pattern of thermal-induced-cracking is compared with experimental observation. It is concluded that the pattern can be predicted satisfactorily, which suggests the developed numerical model can be used study cracking induced by thermal shocks.