Application of a new regularization technique to localized failure

The simulation of localized failure, e.g. in the form of shear bands, yield s the typical mesh-dependent postcritical results within standard finite el ement formulations. We here propose a new regularization technique based on a micromechanically motivated approach which overcomes this problem. The k ey idea here is the introduction of a micro-structure at a typical Gauss-po int of the finite element mesh which bifurcates in the form of an assumed f luctuation field when macroscopic localization occurs. A regularization eff ect is obtained when the size of the microstructure is scaled to the volume associated with a Gauss-point of the finte element mesh.