Modelling of stationary and growing cracks in FE framework without remeshing: a state-of-the-art review Review Article

The recently developed techniques for modelling cracking within the finite element (FE) framework which use meshes independent of the crack configuration and thus avoid remeshing are reviewed. They combine the traditional FE method with the partition of unity method for modelling individual cracks, intersecting or branching cracks, as well as cracks emanating from holes or other internal interfaces. Numerical integration for the enriched elements, linear dependence and the corresponding solution techniques for the discretized system of equations, as well as the accuracy of the crack tip fields are addressed. Future improvements of the techniques as well as their applications are discussed.