Rigid-body-spring networks
are used to model brittle fracture in homogeneous, isotropic materials.
Discretization is based on Voronoi diagrams with random geometry.
Methods are given for ensuring elastic uniformity and maximizing
the degree of isotropy with respect to potential crack direction.
A method for rendering ordinary beam-spring networks elastically
uniform is also given. Model accuracy and practicality are demonstrated
through analyses of mixed mode fracture in cement mortar panels
and shear failure in reinforced concrete beams. The latter example
utilizes an effective method for introducing continuous reinforcement
into random geometry beam-spring networks.