Computational data and mesh files for Nine circles of elastic brittle fracture: A series of challenge problems to assess fracture models

This dataset accompanies the research paper "Nine circles of elastic brittle fracture: A series of challenge problems to assess fracture models" by Kamarei, Zeng, Dolbow, and Lopez-Pamies, CMAME (2026). The dataset contains computational mesh files, figure data, and supporting materials for nine standardized challenge problems designed to assess fracture models in isotropic elastic brittle materials under quasi-static loading conditions.

The nine challenge problems span the complete range of fracture nucleation and propagation mechanisms: strength nucleation (uniaxial tension, biaxial tension, torsion), Griffith nucleation (pure-shear, double cantilever beam, trousers), and strength-Griffith mediated nucleation (single edge notch, indentation, poker-chip).

The dataset includes:
High-quality mesh files for all nine challenge problems
Figure data and results for both linear elastic (soda-lime glass) and non-linear elastic (PU elastomer) brittle materials