A new criterion for modeling multiple discontinuities passing through an element using XIGA

Abstract

In this paper, a new criterion is proposed for the modeling multiple discontinuities i.e. crack, hole and inclusion passing through an element by XIGA. The modeling of multiple discontinuities passing through an element is done by imposing the additional degrees of freedom at the control points lying inside the influence of elements intersected by the discontinuities. In XIGA, the crack faces are modeled by discontinuous Heaviside jump functions, whereas the singularity in stress field at the crack tip is modeled by crack tip enrichment functions. The modeling of holes and inclusions is performed by Heaviside jump function and distance function respectively. The value of stress intensity factor is computed using domain form of interaction integral approach. Few static plane edge crack problems are analyzed in the presence of holes and inclusions to validate the proposed criterion. The results obtained by XIGA are compared with XFEM.