ENGINEERING AND CFD

Using a combination of computational simulations and experiments, researchers at the Ruhr University Bochum are investigating the complex dynamics that govern how cracks propagate in brittle and quasi-brittle materials, such as glass and hard rock. The work has implications both for mining and mineral extraction, as well as designing safer buildings.

Using the JUWELS supercomputer at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre, the researchers were able to simulate how cracks propagate under a variety of boundary conditions, then observe the propagation in sub-microsecond detail. The team’s simulations showed good agreement with experiments, giving the team confidence that its findings can provide important insights into designing new, more resilient materials for construction as well as improving efficiency in rock cutting and mineral extraction for the mining industry. The team published its findings in Interaction Modeling in Mechanized Tunnelling