| description abstract | We explore whether the continuum scaling behavior of the fracture energy of metals extends down to the atomistic level. We use an embedded atom method (EAM) model of Ni, thus bypassing the need to model straingradient plasticity at the continuum level. The calculations are performed with a number of different 3D periodic size cells using standard molecular dynamics (MD) techniques. A void nucleus of a single vacancy is placed in each cell and the cell is then expanded through repeated NVT MD increments. For each displacement, we then determine which cell size has the lowest energy. The optimal cell size and energy bear a powerlaw relation to the opening displacement that is consistent with continuum estimates based on straingradient plasticity (Fokoua et al., 2014, “Optimal Scaling in Solids Undergoing Ductile Fracture by Void Sheet Formation,†Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. (in press); Fokoua et al., 2014, “Optimal Scaling Laws for Ductile Fracture Derived From StrainGradient Microplasticity,†J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 62, pp. 295–311). The persistence of powerlaw scaling of the fracture energy down to the atomistic level is remarkable. | |
