Computational Methods in Engineering

This study shows how to create different types of crack and discontinuities by using isogeometric analysis approach (IGA) and extended finite element method (XFEM). In this contribution, two unique features of isogeometric analysis approach are utilized to create discontinuous zones. Discontinuities consist of crack and cohesive zone. In isogeometric analysis method NURBS is used to approximate both geometry and primary variable. NURBS can create quadratic shapes exactly. Also, stress intensity factors are calculated in the vicinity of the crack tips for two dimensional problems and are compared with corresponding analytical and numerical counterparts. Extended finite element method is the other numerical method which is used in this work. The enrichment procedure is utilized in extended finite element method to create discontinuities. The well-known path independent J-integral approach is used in order to calculate the stress intensity factors. Also, in mixed mode situation, the interaction integral (M-integral) is considered to calculate the stress intensity factors. Results show that isogeometric analysis method has desirable accuracy as it uses lower degree of freedoms and consequently lower computational efforts than extended finite element method. In addition, creating the internal cohesive zone as one of the most important issues in computational fracture mechanics is feasible due to the special features of isogeometric analysis. The present study demonstrates the capability of isogeometric analysis parametric space to control the inter-element continuity and create the cohesive zone.