Phase-field modeling and simulation of desiccation-induced cracking

We developed a phase-field approach to model desiccation-induced fracture in porous media. The model describes the coupling of deformation, fluid flow and fracture in partially saturated materials. Different coupling options are discussed and compared, and physically motivated improvements with respect to previous models are introduced. The discretization setting hinges upon a stabilized low-order finite element to maximize efficiency within a three-dimensional implementation. We also discuss the comparison of numerical results to predictions of semi-analytical approaches and to experimental results.