A Crack Phase-field Model to Analyze Aortic Dissections

This study analyzes the lethal clinical condition of aortic dissections from a numerical point of view.On the basis of our previous contributions [1,2], we apply a holistic geometrical approach to fracture,namely the crack phase-field, which inherits the intrinsic features of gradient damage and variationalfracture mechanics. The continuum framework captures anisotropy, is thermodynamically consistentand based on finite strains. The balance of linear momentum and the crack evolution equation governthe coupled mechanical and phase-field problem. The solution scheme features the robust one–passoperator–splitting algorithm upon temporal and spatial discretizations. Based on experimental data ofdiseased human thoracic aortic samples, the elastic material parameters are identified followed by asensitivity analysis of the anisotropic phase-field model. Finally, we simulate an incipient propagation ofan aortic dissection within a multi–layered segment of a thoracic aorta that involves a prescribed initialtear [3]. The finite element results demonstrate a severe damage zone around the initial tear, exhibit arather helical crack pattern, which aligns with the fiber orientation