Hybrid Isogeometric-Finite Element Discretization Applied to Stress Concentration Problems

Abstract

Isogeometric analysis (IGA) employs non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) or other B-spline-based variants to represent both the geometry and the field variable. Exact geometry representation and higher order global continuity (at least [Formula: see text] even on elements’ boundaries) are two favorable properties that would make IGA an appropriate discretization technique in problems with responses associated with the derivatives of the primary field variable. As a category of these problems, in this paper, 2D elastostatic problems involving stress concentration sites are analyzed with a hybrid isogeometric-finite element (IG-FE) discretization. To exploit higher order continuity of NURBS basis functions, IGA discretization is applied selectively at pre-identified locations of high displacement gradients where the stress concentration occurs. In addition, considering computational efficiency, the rest of problem domain is discretized by means of linear Lagrangian finite elements. The connection of NURBS and Lagrangian domain is carried out through employing specially devised elements [Corbett, C. J. and Sauer, R. A. [2014] “NURBS-enriched contact finite elements”, Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 275, 55–75]. The methodology is applied in some 2D elastostatic examples. Increasing the number of DOFs and comparing convergence of the concentrated stress value using different discretizations, it is shown that the hybrid IG-FE discretizations generally have faster and more stable convergence response compared with pure FE discretizations especially at lower DOFs.