Progressive Damage Reference

A quick reference for progressive damage concepts — damage variables, degradation laws, energy-based evolution and mesh objectivity.

Advanced Damage & Failure3 min read

referenceprogressive damagedamage variabledegradationenergy-basedmesh objectivity

Key Concepts

Damage variable:
  d = 0 (undamaged) → 1 (fully damaged)
  E_damaged = (1−d) × E_undamaged

Degradation laws:
  Abrupt: d jumps 0→1 at initiation
  Gradual: d increases with strain/displacement
  Energy-based: d evolves to dissipate G_c

Mesh objectivity:
  δ_fail = 2 × G_c / (σ_init × l_c)
  Smaller element → larger δ_fail → same total energy

Initiation vs evolution:
  Initiation: FI = 1.0 (damage begins)
  Evolution: stiffness degrades (damage grows)
  Collapse: structure can no longer carry load