Hi colleagues, I want to know if XFEM (extended finite element method) can be used for multiple cracks propagation? If yes, could you provide some references to me? Thanks! If it can simulate multiple cracks, how does XFEM treat the crossing cracks in an element?
I have never worked with XFEM but I think it can be done. I found a paper that seems to be doing what you are describing:
Zi, G., Song, J. H., Budyn, E., Lee, S. H., & Belytschko, T. (2004). A method for growing multiple cracks without remeshing and its application to fatigue crack growth. Modelling and Simulation in Materials Science and Engineering, 12(5), 901.
The answer is, yes, you can, but with some limitations. You have to define a separate zone around each crack. Since that has to be done a priori that restriction might prevent one or all the cracks from growing in particular directions, thereby invalidating the analysis. In effect, this makes it rather difficult to use XFEM for crack interaction analyses. You could build your analysis up in steps, and change the model definition as you go along. I had considered doing that myself, but I have abandoned that line of research for the time being.
Thanks Miguel, the paper you provided is very helpful.
Hi Alison, thank you for your clear reply. However, I still have a question: as you mentioned, the multiple cracks need a priori separated zone around each crack, but in the above paper Miguel provide, I didn't see any sepatate zones but level set functions following every crack propagation. Do you mean level set functions are for separtated zone?
But the problem is, what will happen if they need to grow and need to interact each other, like branching because if we define seperate zones for each crack they cannot grow beyond that zone. If somebody can help it will be appreciated.
Hi Fei Han,
Did you find how to multiple cracks using XFEM. If so kindly let me know how can I activate the initiation of multiple cracks within the enrichment zone in Abaqus. Thanks in advance
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