This contribution presents a comparison between a discrete and a smeared approach to approximate a crack in finite element simulations including the contribution of inertia to the behavior of brittle material under transient loading in the case of fracture. The discrete approximation of a crack is based in this case on a node duplication technique triggered by the evaluation of the so-called "material force" at the crack tip. The smeared approximation of a crack bases on the diffuse description of the crack by a phase-field approach. The governing equations under consideration of transient contributions are shown and the procedure for the finite element implementation is outlined. Numerical simulations investigate the capabilities and limitations of both methods. Firstly, the procedure to introduce initial cracks in a structure and the setup necessary to make them interact with stress waves properly, are under investigation. Moreover, this study deals with the evaluation of the velocity of the crack propagation and its comparison to experimental data. Finally, the phenomenon of crack branching is studied. The presentation and discussion of the results of the simulations provide an overview on the potential of both approaches with respect to an efficient and a realistic simulation of fracture processes in dynamic problems.
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