A localization capturing FE-interface based on regularized strong discontinuities at large inelastic strains

The objective of this work is the development of a finite element interface formulation tailored to capture localization within geometrically nonlinea r solid mechanics. In this context, strong discontinuities are considered a s the final failure mechanism within localization problems. The failure kin ematics are governed by a jump in the nonlinear deformation map across a di scontinuity surface. In the finite element discretization the interface ele ment is endowed with these kinematics. As a consequence, the interface stif fness is dominated by the weighted spatial localization tensor. Based on th ese developments a localization capturing procedure is advocated and is com putationally highlighted. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.