A computational approach to fracture of quasi-brittle materials across the scales

采矿业是澳大利亚经济的重要贡献者。由于采矿中只有一小部分输入能量是有用的，因此通过基于模拟的岩石压裂过程优化来提高能源效率将对降低采矿作业成本产生巨大影响。此外，采矿中岩体破坏的数值预测，以及土木和国防工程中混凝土结构在极端条件下的倒塌也将受益于该项目。这将提高澳大利亚应对灾难性事件的能力。通过岩土材料断裂数值模拟的进展，该项目也将加强澳大利亚在计算破坏力学方面的研究。

The mining industry is a significant contributor to the economy of Australia. Since only a small part of the input energy in mining is useful, improving the energy efficiency through simulation-based optimisation of rock fracturing processes will have a huge impact on reducing the costs of mining operations. Besides, the numerical prediction of rock mass failure in mining, and collapse of concrete structures under extreme conditions in civil engineering and defence will also benefit from the project. This will improve Australia's capability to deal with catastrophic events. Through advances in numerical simulation of fracture of geomaterials, the project will also enhance Australian research in computational failure mechanics.