Phase–field modelling of discontinuous structures in geomaterials

WANG Yunteng; WANG Yadong; LIU Jiaxin; KANG Xuan; WU Wei

doi:10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025149

Volume 31 Issue 5

Oct. 2025

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WANG Y T，WANG Y D，LIU J X，et al.，2025. Phase–field modelling of discontinuous structures in geomaterials[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，31（5）：869−885 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025149

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Phase–field modelling of discontinuous structures in geomaterials

doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025149

Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, BOKU University, Vienna 1180, Austria

Funds: This research is financially supported by the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchanges Projects of the European Commission: LOC3G (Grant No. 101129729), MONUGEO (Grant No. 101182721), and SAFARI (Grant No. 101235182), the Advanced Grant MOTRAN of the European Research Council (ERC) (Grant No. 101141312), and the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) Projects: MultiCBPR (Grant No. M3340) and HIME (Grant No. P37175).

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Author Bio:
王允腾，博士，奥地利维也纳自然资源与生命科学大学（BOKU University）特聘教授（Privatdozent）、博士生导师。2019年获重庆大学博士学位，2019—2021年于沙特阿卜杜拉国王科技大学（KAUST）从事博士后研究，2021年入职奥地利维也纳自然资源与生命科学大学任高级研究员，并于2024年获得教授资格。长期致力于岩土力学、非局部连续介质力学、计算力学、断裂与应变局部化、数据驱动策略及岩土工程等研究领域。在Nature Communications、CMAME、JMPS、RMRE、IJP等国际知名SCI期刊上发表学术论文50余篇，总被引逾3700次，H指数为31。2023—2025年连续入选“全球前2%顶尖科学家榜单”；主持包括FWF Lise Meitner项目、OeaD科技合作项目、奥地利FWF面上项目及欧盟“地平线欧洲”玛丽·居里学者项目在内的科研课题10余项。曾获Acta Geotechnica最佳论文奖、中国岩石力学与工程学会最佳博士论文奖、中国岩石力学与工程学会自然科学特等奖、重庆市自然科学一等奖、2024年度“欧洲华人十大科技领军人才”称号，2025年度奥地利维也纳市“BOKU Best Paper Award” 等多项荣誉
Corresponding author: 吴伟教授（Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wei WU），奥地利维也纳自然资源与生命科学大学（BOKU University）终身讲席教授、博士生导师、岩土工程研究所主任，维也纳“Otto Pregl岩土工程研究基金”委员会主席。1982年毕业于武汉大学，1985年获西安理工大学岩土工程硕士学位，1993年获德国卡尔斯鲁厄大学博士学位。1993—2003年，先后在德国与瑞士多家国际岩土工程咨询公司任职，2003年起受聘于BOKU University，任终身教授。吴教授是奥地利仅有的四位岩土工程教授之一，曾入选“欧洲华人十大科技领军人才”。作为土体亚塑性本构模型理论的重要奠基人与推动者，他在本构理论、数值方法、室内与原位试验、离心机模型试验、边坡与隧道工程、垃圾填埋与地质灾害防控等方面开展了系统研究，在SCI期刊与国际会议发表论文200余篇；主持奥地利FWF、欧盟第六框架计划、第七框架计划、“地平线2020”计划及“地平线欧洲”计划等多项大型合作项目，并于近年荣获欧盟ERC高级研究基金（Advanced Grant）的殊荣。吴伟教授在学术传播与国际交流方面亦贡献卓著。他创办并担任岩土工程领域国际权威期刊Acta Geotechnica主编，同时兼任Springer出版社“岩土力学与工程”系列丛书主编，以及Canadian Geotechnical Journal等多个知名国际期刊的副主编。吴伟（1961—），男，博士，讲席教授，主要从事岩土力学与岩土工程研究。Email: wei.wu@boku.ac.at
Received: 2025-10-09
Revised: 2025-10-17
Accepted: 2025-10-22

Available Online: 2025-10-31

Published: 2025-10-30

Abstract

Abstract

Objective This study aims to develop a thermodynamically consistent phase–field framework for modeling the initiation and evolution of discontinuous structures in geomaterials. Methods Our model introduces crack driving forces derived from the volumetric–deviatoric strain decomposition strategy, incorporating distinct tension, compression, and shear degradation mechanisms. Inertia effects capture compaction-band formation driven by wave-like disturbances, grain crushing, and frictional rearrangement. A monolithic algorithm ensures numerical stability and rapid convergence. Results The framework reproduces tensile, shear, mixed tensile–shear, and compressive–shear failures using the Benzeggagh–Kenane criterion. Validation against benchmark simulations—including uniaxial compression of rock-like and triaxial compression of V-notched sandstone specimens—demonstrates accurate predictions of crack initiation stress, localization orientation, and energy dissipation. Conclusions The framework provides a unified and robust numerical tool for analyzing the spatiotemporal evolution of strain localization and fracture in geomaterials. Significance By linking microscale fracture dynamics with macroscale failure within a thermodynamically consistent scheme, this study advances predictive modeling of rock stability, slope failure, and subsurface energy systems, contributing to safer and more sustainable geotechnical practice.
- rock cracks,
- localized deformation bands,
- multiscale characteristics,
- phase–field model,
- numerical simulations

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