Three dimensional virtual crack closure-integral method (VCCM) with skewed and non-symmetric mesh arrangement at the crack front

In this paper, an extension of virtual crack closure-integral method (VCCM) for three dimensional linear fracture mechanics analysis using hexahedron finite elements is presented. In conventional three dimensional VCCM, there are some inherent requirements on the finite element model. They are (i) the faces of finite elements across the crack front have the same areas and (ii) they must be arranged symmetrically across the crack front. In present study, we developed a three dimensional VCCM without such requirements by considering work required to open one element face area whose shape is arbitrary. Though we assume the use of an ordinary 20 node serendipity element, present approach can be applied to other types of hexahedron elements.