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Finite‐deformation irreversible cohesive elements for three‐dimensional crack‐propagation analysis
Author(s) -
Ortiz M.,
Pandolfi A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0207(19990330)44:9<1267::aid-nme486>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - finite element method , discretization , deformation (meteorology) , materials science , cohesive zone model , fracture mechanics , mechanics , extended finite element method , fracture (geology) , structural engineering , engineering , composite material , mathematical analysis , mathematics , physics
We develop a three‐dimensional finite‐deformation cohesive element and a class of irreversible cohesive laws which enable the accurate and efficient tracking of dynamically growing cracks. The cohesive element governs the separation of the crack flanks in accordance with an irreversible cohesive law, eventually leading to the formation of free surfaces, and is compatible with a conventional finite element discretization of the bulk material. The versatility and predictive ability of the method is demonstrated through the simulation of a drop‐weight dynamic fracture test similar to those reported by Zehnder and Rosakis. The ability of the method to approximate the experimentally observed crack‐tip trajectory is particularly noteworthy. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.