Computational implementation of the PPR potential-based cohesive model in ABAQUS: Educational perspective

A potential-based cohesive zone model, so called the PPR model, is implemented in a commercial software, e.g. ABAQUS, as a user-defined element (UEL) subroutine. The intrinsic cohesive zone modeling approach is employed because it can be formulated within the standard finite element framework. The implementation procedure for a two-dimensional linear cohesive element and the algorithm for the PPR potential-based model are presented in-detail. The source code of the UEL subroutine is provided in Appendix for educational purposes. Three computational examples are investigated to verify the PPR model and its implementation. The computational results of the model agree well with the analytical solutions.