AN ELEMENT-FREE GALERKIN METHOD FOR 3-DIMENSIONAL FRACTURE-MECHANICS

The application of a coupled finite element-element-free Galerkin (EFG ) method to problems in three-dimensional fracture is presented. The E FG method is based on moving least square (MLS) approximations and use s only a set of nodal points and a CAD-Like description of the body to formulate the discrete model. The EFG method is coupled with the fini te element method which allows for the use of the EFG method in the cr ack region and the finite element method to model the remainder of the problem. Domain integral methods are used to evaluate stress intensit y factors along the 3D crack front. Both planar and volume representat ions of the domain integrals are considered. The former require deriva tives of stress and strain which are readily obtainable in the EFG met hod due to the CI continuity of I-he MLS approximations used here. App lications of the method to the determination of stress intensity facto rs along planar cracks in 3D are presented.