Modeling of material failure by combining the advantages of embedded strong discontinuity approaches and classical interface elements

A finite element formulation within the framework of the Strong Discontinuity Approach suitable for the simulation of crack growth is presented. The formulation allows for intersecting discontinuities and similarly to classical interface elements, the cracks are introduced parallel to the element facets. However and in contrast to interface elements, the discontinuities are directly embedded in finite elements, based on the Enhanced Assumed Strain concept. It is shown that a realistic prediction of the mechanical response requires the consideration of more than one crack within each finite element. The proposed formulation is suitable to overcome locking effects and it automatically fulfills crack path continuity. The approach is strictly local yielding an efficient numerical formulation. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)