Subject: Monitoring crack propagation in compression

Hi everyone,

I am simulating the behaviour of some components that are under compression in ABAQUS, including fracture and element deletion. When fracture occurs inside the model, that is under compression, elements are deleted (as the crack) and the nodes that are on the two sides of the crack interfere and pass each other. In other words, after the element deletion due to the compression loading, there is no interaction between the inner nodes/elements of the same part as the compression goes on.

I need to see the crack propagation in my model, with proper interaction between the crack surfaces (which should not be lost). I am wondering if somebody has a solution for this problem (to monitor crack propagation in compression).

Please see the attached short video for seeing this problem.

Thank you for your help in advance.

Regards,

Amir