Arbitrary discontinuities in finite elements

A technique for modelling arbitrary discontinuities in finite elements is p resented. Both discontinuities in the function and its derivatives are cons idered. Methods for intersecting and branching discontinuities are given. I n all cases, the discontinuous approximation is constructed in terms of a s igned distance functions, so level sets can be used to update the position of the discontinuities. A standard displacement Galerkin method is used for developing the discrete equations. Examples of the following applications are given: crack growth, a journal bearing, a non-bonded circular inclusion and It jointed rock mass. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.