Dynamic simulation of flow‐induced fiber fracture

A dynamic simulation method has been developed of the fracture process of a fiber in a flow field using the particle simulation method proposed i a previous paper. The fiber is modeled with bonded spheres as a fiber model. The flexibility of the fiber model is altered by changing three parameters of the stretching, bending, and twisting constants between adjacent spheres. The stress induced in each bond of the fiber model as a result of deformation is formulated using displacement of the bodn distanc, bond angle, and torsion angle fr each pair of spheres. After deformation, the fiber model fractures at the bond at which the stress surpasses the strength of the fiber. The motion of the fiber model in a flow field is determined by solving the translational and rotational motion equations for individual spheres under the hydrodynamic force and torque exerted on them. The correctness of the method and formulation was verified by comparing the simulated deflection curve of a cantilever beam (with a concentrated load at the end) with the theoretical curve. Good agreement was found in both the deflection and slope of the beam. The fracture process of a fiber after bending deformation in a two‐dimensional siimple shear flow was simulated under assumptions of an infinitely dilute system, no hydrodynamic interaction, and a low Reynolds number of a particle. The calculated critical conditions of the flow field for fiber fracture were compared with Forgacs and Mason's theoretical ones. Simulated values of the fracture condition of the fluid shear stress related to the Young's modulus of a fiber agree with theoretical ones over an aspect ratio of 15.