A Frequency-Domain Approach for Transient Dynamic Analysis Using Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method (II): Application to Fracture Problems

Abstract

The scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM) allows mixed-mode stress intensity factors (SIFs) to be accurately determined directly from the definition because the stress solutions in the radial direction are analytical. This makes the SBFEM superior to the traditional finite element method and boundary element method when calculating SIFs, since the other approaches generally need special crack-tip treatment, such as refining the crack-tip mesh or using singular elements. In addition, anisotropic material behaviour can be handled with ease by the SBFEM. These advantages are exploited in this study, in which the new frequency-domain approach combining the Frobenius solution procedure [1] and the fast Fourier transform technique, as developed and validated in the accompanying paper [2], is applied to model transcient dynamic fracture problems. Two benchmark problems with isotropic and anistropic material behaviour are modeled with a small number of degrees of freedom. Excellent agreement is observed between the results of this study and those in published literature. The new frequency-domain approach thus provides a competitive alternative to model dynamic fracture problems with high accuracy and efficiency.