Cracking elements: A self-propagating Strong Discontinuity embedded Approach for quasi-brittle fracture

In this paper, we present a self-propagating Strong Discontinuity embedded Approach (SDA) for quasi-brittle fracture. The method is based on the Statically Optimal Symmetric formulation (SOS) of the SDA using the 8-node quadrilateral element which avoids local stress locking. A non-continuous crack path is assumed such that the crack is modelled by a set of disconnected cracking segments. Hence, no complex crack tracking procedure and no explicit (or implicit) representation of the crack surface are needed. A local fracture criteria is proposed for determining the orientation of the crack. Several numerical tests with irregular discretizations are performed, demonstrating the effectiveness and robustness of the presented method.