The micromorphic versus phase field approach to gradient plasticity and damage with application to cracking in metal single crystals

International audienceThe micromorphic approach consists in introducing additional degrees of freedom in the continuum mechanical framework, that are constitutively related to mechanical variables like strain or internal variables for hardening and damage. We show the strong links between the micromorphic theory originated from Erigen and Mindlin's work, and phase field models for which the Landau–Ginzburg equation can be interpreted as a balance of generalized forces. The application deals with the formulation of a micromorphic crystal model involving plasticity and damage according to crystallographic planes. Finite element simulations of crack propagation under mode I conditions are presented