Mathematical modeling of the brittle material fracture under the thermal loads

A model for the formation and evolution of cracks in brittle material is considered. The smeared cracks concept allowing to describe the fracture of the material under the assumptions of continuum mechanics is used. While taking the cracks into account the process of the material softening during the deformation can be described. The model is considered in the two-dimensional plane and axisymmetric approximations. Smeared crack approach is used to model the behavior of the uranium dioxide fuel pellets. The calculation results are qualitatively consistent with experimental data.