The enhanced assumed strain method for the isogeometric analysis of nearly incompressible deformation of solids

Isogeometric analysis has recently become very popular for the numerical modeling of structures and fluids. Among other potential features, advantages of using a non‐uniform rational B‐splines (NURBS)‐based isogeometric analysis over the traditional finite element method include the possibility of using higher‐order polynomials for the basis functions of the approximation space, which may be easily built on a recursive (hierarchical) fashion as well as higher convergence ratio. Nevertheless, NURBS‐based isogeometric analysis suffers from the same problems depicted by other methods when it comes to reproduce isochoric deformations, that is, it shows volumetric locking, especially for low‐order basis functions. Similar remedies as those that have been proposed for the finite element method may be appropriate for integration in the NURBS‐based isogeometric analysis and some have already been tried with success. In this work, the analysis of the underlying space of incompressible deformations of a NURBS‐based isogeometric approximation is performed with the main objective of understanding the likelihood of volumetric locking. As a remedy, the enhanced assumed strain methodology is blended with the NURBS‐based isogeometric analysis to alleviate the volumetric locking associated with incompressible deformations. The solution includes a stabilization term derived directly from a penalized form of the classical Veubeke–Hu–Washizu three‐field variational principle. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fracture in magnetoelectroelastic materials using the extended finite element method

Static fracture analyses in two‐dimensional linear magnetoelectroelastic (MEE) solids is studied by means of the extended finite element method (X‐FEM). In the X‐FEM, crack modeling is facilitated by adding a discontinuous function and the crack‐tip asymptotic functions to the standard finite element approximation using the framework of partition of unity. In this study, media possessing fully coupled piezoelectric, piezomagnetic and magnetoelectric effects are considered. New enrichment functions for cracks in transversely isotropic MEE materials are derived, and the computation of fracture parameters using the domain form of the contour interaction integral is presented. The convergence rates in energy for topological and geometric enrichments are studied. Excellent accuracy of the proposed formulation is demonstrated on benchmark crack problems through comparisons with both analytical solutions and numerical results obtained by the dual boundary element method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A generalized finite element formulation for arbitrary basis functions: From isogeometric analysis to XFEM

Many of the formulations of current research interest, including iosogeometric methods and the extended finite element method, use nontraditional basis functions. Some, such as subdivision surfaces, may not have convenient analytical representations. The concept of an element, if appropriate at all, no longer coincides with the traditional definition. Developing a new software for each new class of basis functions is a large research burden, especially, if the problems involve large deformations, non‐linear materials, and contact. The objective of this paper is to present a method that separates as much as possible the generation and evaluation of the basis functions from the analysis, resulting in a formulation that can be implemented within the traditional structure of a finite element program but that permits the use of arbitrary sets of basis functions that are defined only through the input file. Elements ranging from a traditional linear four‐node tetrahedron through a higher‐order element combining XFEM and isogeometric analysis may be specified entirely through an input file without any additional programming. Examples of this framework to applications with Lagrange elements, isogeometric elements, and XFEM basis functions for fracture are presented. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A variational method to avoid locking—independent of the discretization scheme

We present a variational method for problems in solid and structural mechanics that is designed to be intrinsically free from locking when using equal‐order interpolation for all involved fields. The specific feature of the formulation is that it avoids all geometrical locking effects (as opposed to material locking effects, for instance Poisson locking) for any type of structural or solid model, independent of the underlying discretization scheme. The possibility of employing equal‐order interpolation for all involved fields circumvents the task of finding particular function spaces to remove locking and avoid artificial stress oscillations. This is particularly attractive, for instance, for isogeometric analysis using unstructured meshes or T‐splines. Comprehensive numerical tests underline the promising behavior of the proposed method for geometrically linear and nonlinear problems in terms of displacements and stress resultants using standard finite elements, isogeometric finite elements, and a meshless method.     

Isogeometric analysis of shear bands

Numerical modeling of shear bands present several challenges, primarily due to strain softening, strong nonlinear multiphysics coupling, and steep solution gradients with fine solution features. In general it is not known a priori where a shear band will form or propagate, thus adaptive refinement is sometimes necessary to increase the resolution near the band. In this work we explore the use of isogeometric analysis for shear band problems by constructing and testing several combinations of NURBS elements for a mixed finite element shear band formulation. Owing to the higher order continuity of the NURBS basis, fine solution features such as shear bands can be resolved accurately and efficiently without adaptive refinement. The results are compared to a mixed element formulation with linear functions for displacement and temperature and Pian–Sumihara shape functions for stress. We find that an element based on high order NURBS functions for displacement, temperature and stress, combined with gauss point sampling of the plastic strain leads to attractive results in terms of rate of convergence, accuracy and cpu time. This element is implemented with a \(\overline{\hbox {B}}\) -bar strain projection method and is shown to be nearly locking free.     

Enriched isogeometric analysis of elliptic boundary value problems in domains with cracks and/or corners

The mapping method was introduced in Jeong et al. (2013) for highly accurate isogeometric analysis (IGA) of elliptic boundary value problems containing singularities. The mapping method is concerned with constructions of novel geometrical mappings by which push‐forwards of B‐splines from the parameter space into the physical space generate singular functions that resemble the singularities. In other words, the pullback of the singularity into the parameter space by the novel geometrical mapping (a non‐uniform rational basis spline (NURBS) surface mapping) becomes highly smooth. One of the merits of IGA is that it uses NURBS functions employed in designs for the finite element analysis. However, push‐forwards of rational NURBS may not be able to generate singular functions. Moreover, the mapping method is effective for neither the k‐refinement nor the h‐refinement. In this paper, highly accurate stress analysis of elastic domains with cracks and ∕ or corners are achieved by enriched IGA, in which push‐forwards of NURBS via the design mapping are combined with push‐forwards of B‐splines via the novel geometrical mapping (the mapping technique). In a similar spirit of X‐FEM (or GFEM), we propose three enrichment approaches: enriched IGA for corners, enriched IGA for cracks, and partition of unity IGA for cracks. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

NURBS based least‐squares finite element methods for fluid and solid mechanics

This contribution investigates the performance of a least‐squares finite element method based on non‐uniform rational B‐splines (NURBS) basis functions. The least‐squares functional is formulated directly in terms of the strong form of the governing equations and boundary conditions. Thus, the introduction of auxiliary variables is avoided, but the order of the basis functions must be higher or equal to the order of the highest spatial derivatives. The methodology is applied to the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations and to linear as well as nonlinear elastic solid mechanics. The numerical examples presented feature convective effects and incompressible or nearly incompressible material. The numerical results, which are obtained with equal‐order interpolation and without any stabilisation techniques, are smooth and accurate. It is shown that for p and h refinement, the theoretical rates of convergence are achieved. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Developments of the method of difference potentials for linear elastic fracture mechanics problems

Recently, the method of difference potentials has been extended to linear elastic fracture mechanics. The solution was calculated on a grid boundary belonging to the domain of an auxiliary problem, which must be solved multiple times. Singular enrichment functions, such as those used within the extended finite element method, were introduced to improve the approximation near the crack tip leading to near‐optimal convergence rates. Now, the method is further developed by significantly reducing the computation time. This is achieved via the implementation of a system of basis functions introduced along the physical boundary of the problem. The basis functions form an approximation of the trace of the solution at the physical boundary. This method has been proven efficient for the solution of problems on regular (Lipschitz) domains. By introducing the singularity into the finite element space, the approximation of the crack can be realised by regular functions. Near‐optimal convergence rates are then achieved for the enriched formulation. A solution algorithm using the fast Fourier transform is provided with the aim of further increasing the efficiency of the method.     

比例边界等几何方法在断裂力学中的应用

该文将比例边界等几何方法(SBIGA)应用在断裂力学中,并就应力强度因子(SIFs)计算精度和收敛速度与传统比例边界有限元(SBFEM)进行了比较。与SBFEM不同,SBIGA采用非均匀有理B样条(NURBS)作为造型和离散的工具。主要包括了以下两个特点:一方面,有限元模型可直接继承于CAD系统,即节约划分网格的时间也避免了几何近似。另一方面,因为不需要进一步与CAD系统数据交换就可以保型细分,二维问题中自适应分析策略的实施十分方便。算例表明,SBIGA方法可以给出较SBFEM更为精确的结果和更快的收敛速度。其原因不仅得益于对曲边几何形状的精确描述,还来源于NURBS高阶的连续性。     

Robust and direct evaluation of J2 in linear elastic fracture mechanics with the X‐FEM

The aim of the present paper is to study the accuracy and the robustness of the evaluation of J_k‐integrals in linear elastic fracture mechanics using the extended finite element method (X‐FEM) approach. X‐FEM is a numerical method based on the partition of unity framework that allows the representation of discontinuity surfaces such as cracks, material inclusions or holes without meshing them explicitly. The main focus in this contribution is to compare various approaches for the numerical evaluation of the J₂‐integral. These approaches have been proposed in the context of both classical and enriched finite elements. However, their convergence and the robustness have not yet been studied, which are the goals of this contribution. It is shown that the approaches that were used previously within the enriched finite element context do not converge numerically and that this convergence can be recovered with an improved strategy that is proposed in this paper. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An isogeometric analysis approach to gradient damage models

Continuum damage formulations are commonly used for the simulation of diffuse fracture processes. Implicit gradient damage models are employed to avoid the spurious mesh dependencies associated with local continuum damage models. The C⁰‐continuity of traditional finite elements has hindered the study of higher order gradient damage approximations. In this contribution we use isogeometric finite elements, which allow for the construction of higher order continuous basis functions on complex domains. We study the suitability of isogeometric finite elements for the discretization of higher order gradient damage approximations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Parametric quadratic programming method for elastic contact fracture analysis

A solution procedure for elastic contact fracture mechanics has been proposed in this paper. The procedure is based on the quadratic programming and finite element method (FEM). In this paper, parametric quadratic programming method for two-dimensional contact mechanics analysis is applied to the crack problems involving the crack surfaces in frictional contact. Based on a linear complementary contact condition, the parametric variational principle and FEM, a linear complementary method is extended to analyze contact fracture mechanics. The near-tip fields are properly modeled in the analysis using special crack tip elements with quarter-point nodes. Stress intensity factor solutions are presented for some frictional contact fracture problems and are compared with known results where available.     

On the Assumed Natural Strain method to alleviate locking in solid-shell NURBS-based finite elements

In isogeometric analysis (IGA), the functions used to describe the CAD geometry (such as NURBS) are also employed, in an isoparametric fashion, for the approximation of the unknown fields, leading to an exact geometry representation. Since the introduction of IGA, it has been shown that the high regularity properties of the employed functions lead in many cases to superior accuracy per degree of freedom with respect to standard FEM. However, as in Lagrangian elements, NURBS-based formulations can be negatively affected by the appearance of non-physical phenomena that “lock” the solution when constrained problems are considered. In order to alleviate such locking behaviors, the Assumed Natural Strain (ANS) method proposed for Lagrangian formulations is extended to NURBS-based elements in the present work, within the context of solid-shell formulations. The performance of the proposed methodology is assessed by means of a set of numerical examples. The results allow to conclude that the employment of the ANS method to quadratic NURBS-based elements successfully alleviates non-physical phenomena such as shear and membrane locking, significantly improving the element performance.     

New development in extended finite element modeling of large elasto‐plastic deformations

This paper presents new achievements in the extended finite element modeling of large elasto‐plastic deformation in solid problems. The computational technique is presented based on the extended finite element method (X‐FEM) coupled with the Lagrangian formulation in order to model arbitrary interfaces in large deformations. In X‐FEM, the material interfaces are represented independently of element boundaries, and the process is accomplished by partitioning the domain with some triangular sub‐elements whose Gauss points are used for integration of the domain of elements. The large elasto‐plastic deformation formulation is employed within the X‐FEM framework to simulate the non‐linear behavior of materials. The interface between two bodies is modeled by using the X‐FEM technique and applying the Heaviside‐ and level‐set‐based enrichment functions. Finally, several numerical examples are analyzed, including arbitrary material interfaces, to demonstrate the efficiency of the X‐FEM technique in large plasticity deformations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Discontinuity‐Enriched Finite Element Method

We introduce a new methodology for modeling problems with both weak and strong discontinuities independently of the finite element discretization. At variance with the eXtended/Generalized Finite Element Method (X/GFEM), the new method, named the Discontinuity‐Enriched Finite Element Method (DE‐FEM), adds enriched degrees of freedom only to nodes created at the intersection between a discontinuity and edges of elements in the mesh. Although general, the method is demonstrated in the context of fracture mechanics, and its versatility is illustrated with a set of traction‐free and cohesive crack examples. We show that DE‐FEM recovers the same rate of convergence as the standard FEM with matching meshes, and we also compare the new approach to X/GFEM.     

A novel singular node‐based smoothed finite element method (NS‐FEM) for upper bound solutions of fracture problems

It is well known that the lower bound to exact solutions in linear fracture problems can be easily obtained by the displacement compatible finite element method (FEM) together with the singular crack tip elements. It is, however, much more difficult to obtain the upper bound solutions for these problems. This paper aims to formulate a novel singular node‐based smoothed finite element method (NS‐FEM) to obtain the upper bound solutions for fracture problems. In the present singular NS‐FEM, the calculation of the system stiffness matrix is performed using the strain smoothing technique over the smoothing domains (SDs) associated with nodes, which leads to the line integrations using only the shape function values along the boundaries of the SDs. A five‐node singular crack tip element is used within the framework of NS‐FEM to construct singular shape functions via direct point interpolation with proper order of fractional basis. The mix‐mode stress intensity factors are evaluated using the domain forms of the interaction integrals. The upper bound solutions of the present singular NS‐FEM are demonstrated via benchmark examples for a wide range of material combinations and boundary conditions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The extended finite element method with new crack‐tip enrichment functions for an interface crack between two dissimilar piezoelectric materials

This paper studies the static fracture problems of an interface crack in linear piezoelectric bimaterial by means of the extended finite element method (X‐FEM) with new crack‐tip enrichment functions. In the X‐FEM, crack modeling is facilitated by adding a discontinuous function and crack‐tip asymptotic functions to the classical finite element approximation within the framework of the partition of unity. In this work, the coupled effects of an elastic field and an electric field in piezoelectricity are considered. Corresponding to the two classes of singularities of the aforementioned interface crack problem, namely, ? class and κ class, two classes of crack‐tip enrichment functions are newly derived, and the former that exhibits oscillating feature at the crack tip is numerically investigated. Computation of the fracture parameter, i.e., the J‐integral, using the domain form of the contour integral, is presented. Excellent accuracy of the proposed formulation is demonstrated on benchmark interface crack problems through comparisons with analytical solutions and numerical results obtained by the classical FEM. Moreover, it is shown that the geometrical enrichment combining the mesh with local refinement is substantially better in terms of accuracy and efficiency. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Linear smoothed extended finite element method

The extended finite element method was introduced in 1999 to treat problems involving discontinuities with no or minimal remeshing through appropriate enrichment functions. This enables elements to be split by a discontinuity, strong or weak, and hence requires the integration of discontinuous functions or functions with discontinuous derivatives over elementary volumes. A variety of approaches have been proposed to facilitate these special types of numerical integration, which have been shown to have a large impact on the accuracy and the convergence of the numerical solution. The smoothed extended finite element method (XFEM), for example, makes numerical integration elegant and simple by transforming volume integrals into surface integrals. However, it was reported in the literature that the strain smoothing is inaccurate when non‐polynomial functions are in the basis. In this paper, we investigate the benefits of a recently developed Linear smoothing procedure which provides better approximation to higher‐order polynomial fields in the basis. Some benchmark problems in the context of linear elastic fracture mechanics are solved and the results are compared with existing approaches. We observe that the stress intensity factors computed through the proposed linear smoothed XFEM is more accurate than that obtained through smoothed XFEM.     

Extended Voronoi cell finite element model for multiple cohesive crack propagation in brittle materials

This paper introduces an extended Voronoi cell finite‐element model (X‐VCFEM) for modelling cohesive crack propagation in brittle materials with multiple cracks. The cracks are modelled by a cohesive zone model and their incremental directions and growth lengths are determined in terms of the cohesive energy near the crack tip. Extension to VCFEM is achieved through enhancements in stress functions in the assumed stress hybrid formulation. In addition to polynomial terms, the stress functions include branch functions in conjunction with level set methods, and multi‐resolution wavelet functions in the vicinity of crack tips. The wavelet basis functions are adaptively enriched to accurately capture crack‐tip stress concentrations. Conditions and methods of stability are enforced in X‐VCFEM for improved convergence with propagating cracks. Two classes of problems are solved and compared with existing solutions in the literature for validation of the X‐VCFEM algorithms. The first set corresponds to results for static cracks, while in the latter set, the propagation of cohesive cracks are considered. Comparison of X‐VCFEM simulation results with results in literature for several fracture mechanics problems validates the effectiveness of X‐VCFEM. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.