How fast can cracks move? A research adventure in materials failure using millions of atoms and big computers

During the last decade, we have been simulating the dynamic failure of brittle and ductile solids at the atomic level using some of the world's fastest computers. Computer experiments encompassing crack dynamics in brittle fracture, crack blunting in ductile failure, and multi-dislocation entanglement in work-hardening are some examples and have given new and exciting insights into the failure processes of solids. Our presentation begins at an introduction level where basic concepts are presented before their application is needed for the understanding of specific phenomena. The story is primarily based on our past experiences, and our goal is to give the reader a fundamental appreciation for how materials fail.