A coupled IEM/FEM approach for solving elastic problems with multiple cracks

In this paper, the detailed two-dimensional infinite element method (IEM) formulation with infinite element (IE)–finite element (FE) coupling scheme for investigating mode I stress intensity factor in elastic problems with imbedded geometric singularities (e.g. cracks) is presented. The IE–FE coupling algorithm is also successfully extended to solve multiple crack problems. In this method, the domain of the primary problem is subdivided into two sub-domains modeled separately using the IEM for the multiple crack sub-domain, and the FEM for the uncracked sub-domain. In the IE sub-domain, the similarity partition concept together with the IEM formulation are employed to automatically generate a large number of infinitesimal elements, layer by layer, around the tip of each crack. All degrees of freedom related to the IE sub-domain, except for those associated with the coupling interface, are condensed and transformed to form a finite master IE for each crack with master nodes on sub-domain boundary only. All of the stiffness matrices constructed in the IE sub-domains are assembled into the system stiffness matrix for the FE sub-domain. The resultant FE solution with a symmetrical stiffness matrix, having the singularity effect of imbedded cracks in IEs, is required only for solving multiple crack problems.Using these efficient numerical techniques a very fine mesh pattern can be established around each crack tip without increasing the degree of freedom of the global FEM solution. One is easily allowed to conduct parametric analyses for various crack sizes without changing the FE mesh. Numerical examples are presented to show the performance of the proposed method and compared with the corresponding known results where available.