The failure behavior analysis based on finite element simulation of PS-PVD (Gd0.9Yb0.1)2Zr2O7/YSZ coatings during burner rig tests

•Quasi-columnar (Gd0.9Yb0.1)2Zr2O7 (GYbZ)/yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coating experiences delamination failure under burner rig test.•Delamination initiates at particle-embedded regions beneath taller GYbZ column tips, followed by lower regions affected by shorter tapered columns.•The discontinuities of the strain tolerance lead to multiple out-of-plane stress concentration spots in the quasi-columnar coating.•Various strain energy release rate trends at different stress concentration spots reveal delamination mechanisms of quasi-columnar GYbZ/YSZ coatings.