Discontinuous enrichment in finite elements with a partition of unity method

A technique is presented to model arbitrary discontinuities in the finite element framework by locally enriching a displacement-based approximation through a partition of unity method. This technique allows discontinuities to be represented independently of element boundaries. The method is applied to fracture mechanics, in which crack discontinuities are represented using both a jump function and the asymptotic near-tip fields. As specific examples, we consider cracks and crack growth in two-dimensional elasticity and Mindlin-Reissner plates. A domain form of the J-integral is also derived to extract the moment intensity factors. The accuracy and utility of the method is also discussed.

Duke Scholars

Author John Everett Dolbow Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...