ABSTRACT
This chapter presents peridynamic modelling of microstructure of materials. The effect of grain boundary strength on fracture behaviour and fracture morphology of materials is investigated by considering plane strain assumption. Microstructure can be very effective for the macroscopic behavior of the materials including the materials used in marine structures. An important class of materials which are very much influenced by their microstructure is polycrystalline materials including all common metals. Experimental characterization can be used to investigate the microstructure of polycrystalline materials. The chapter examines peridynamic analysis of cubic polycrystalline materials under plane strain conditions. Microstructure can be very effective, especially in the fracture process. Therefore, it is important to perform a detailed analysis at microscopic level to have a better understanding of the fracture behavior of polycrystalline materials. New experimental techniques are required for both fracture material property determination and validation of numerical results.
