Application of s-Version Finite Element Method to Two-Dimensional Fracture Mechanics Problems

Abstract

S-version finite element method (s-FEM) is applied to two-dimensional linear/nonlinear fracture mechanics problems. s-FEM in crack problems is such that local detailed finite element mesh (local mesh) is superposed on cores finite element model (global mesh) representing the global structure. Therefore, the local and the global meshes are generated independently. This methodology is considered to be one of global-local type analysis strategies. In this paper, the formulation of s-FEM is reviewed and applied to various linear/nonlinear fracture mechanics problems. Stress intensity factors for linear fracture problems are computed by using virtual crack closure method (VCCM). For nonlinear fracture problems, J-integral is evaluated. Calculations for the fracture parameters are carried out based on the local mesh only.