A fast adaptive PD-FEM coupling model for predicting cohesive crack growth

Abstract

In this study, nonlocal theory of peridynamic (PD) is coupled with finite element method (FEM) to simulate cohesive crack growth in quasi-brittle materials. The adaptive dynamic relaxation method is adopted to implement quasi-static loading conditions. The advantage of peridynamic method in the modeling of crack propagation is taken into consideration to be coupled with that of finite elements which is computationally less expensive and covers various boundary value problems. In this novel method, the whole domain of the problem is initially dominated by FEM solver with coarse mesh grids. Coupling process is then introduced to those regions which have critical conditions according to damage criterion. The capability of the proposed coupling method in the modeling of cohesive crack growth in quasi-brittle materials is demonstrated. In comparison to other conventional PD-FEM coupling methods, the computational cost of the proposed method is considerably improved and total running time of the solution is significantly attenuated. The validity of the method is confirmed through comparing the results with experimental ones.