QUASI-AUTOMATIC SIMULATION OF CRACK-PROPAGATION FOR 2D LEFM PROBLEMS

A strategy for quasi-automatic simulation of propagation of arbitrary cracks in two-dimensional, linear elastic finite element models is pre sented. This strategy has been implemented in FRANC2D (FRacture ANalys is Code 2D). An underlying winged-edge data structure enables automati c local modifications of the mesh along the propagation path without l oss of any unaffected structural information. The finite element mesh is locally regenerated after each step of propagation by means of a ro bust remeshing algorithm. The propagation process is driven by linear elastic fracture mechanics concepts which are used to calculate mixed- mode stress intensity factors, predict incremental changes in trajecto ry, and assess local crack stability. Crack trajectories, obtained for different techniques of stress intensity factor calculation, and for different mixed-mode interaction theories, are presented and favorably compared to experimentally obtained paths. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevie r Science Ltd