HLFEMP: A coupled MPM-FEM method under a hybrid updated and total Lagrangian framework

Abstract

Coupling the Material Point Method (MPM) with the Finite Element Method (FEM) provides a powerful approach for addressing problems characterized by the coexistence of large and small deformations. The majority of existing MPM-FEM methods, which operate within the updated Lagrangian framework, introduce inherent issues, such as cell-crossing noise and numerical fracture, compromising the overall accuracy of the coupled method. This paper presents a coupled MPM-FEM method under a hybrid updated and total Lagrangian framework (HLFEMP). Within the HLFEMP, updated Lagrangian FEM is employed to handle small deformations, while total Lagrangian MPM is adopted to model large deformations. A particle-to-surface contact algorithm with auxiliary thickness layer is utilized to couple both methods. Notably, by imposing the weak form of total Lagrangian MPM in the undeformed configuration, HLFEMP is rendered free from cell-crossing noise and numerical fracture, resulting in better computational stability. The performance of HLFEMP in terms of energy behavior, accuracy, efficiency and stability under large elastic and elasto-plastic deformations are investigated through a series of numerical simulations.