Numerical modelling of crack propagation: automatic remeshing and comparison of different criteria

Modelling of a crack propagating through a finite element mesh under mixed mode conditions is of prime importance in fracture mechanics. Three different crack growth criteria and the respective crack paths prediction for several test cases are compared. The maximal circumferential stress criterion, the strain energy density fracture criterion and the criterion of the maximal strain energy release rate are implemented using advanced finite element techniques. A fully automatic remesher enables to deal with multiple boundaries and multiple materials. The propagation of the crack is calculated with both remeshing and nodal relaxation. Several examples are presented to check for the robustness of the numerical techniques, and to study specific features of each criterion. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.