Superposition of non-ordinary state-based peridynamics and finite element method for material failure simulations

Superposition of non-ordinary state-based peridynamics and finite element method for material failure simulations, including crack propagation and strain localization is developed. By this approach, a peridynamic model capable of effectively treating strong and weak discontinuities is superimposed in the critical regions over an underlying finite element mesh placed over the entire problem domain. A rigorous variational framework of coupling local finite element and nonlocal peridynamics approximations that is free of blending parameters is developed. Several numerical examples involving mixed-model fracture, three-dimensional adaptive crack propagation and strain localization induced ductile failure demonstrate the rational and efficiency of the proposed superposition-based coupling approach.