Stress analysis around crack tips in finite strain problems using the eXtended finite element method

Fracture of rubber‐like materials is still an open problem. Indeed, it deals with modelling issues (crack growth law, bulk behaviour) and computational issues (robust crack growth in 2D and 3D, incompressibility). The present study focuses on the application of the eXtended Finite Element Method (X‐FEM) to large strain fracture mechanics for plane stress problems. Two important issues are investigated: the choice of the formulation used to solve the problem and the determination of suitable enrichment functions. It is demonstrated that the results obtained with the method are in good agreement with previously published works. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.