A singular edge-based smoothed finite element method (ES-FEM) for crack analyses in anisotropic media

The recently developed edge-based smoothed finite element method (ES-FEM) is extended to fracture problems in anisotropic media using a specially designed five-node singular crack-tip (T5) element. In the formulation of singular ES-FEM, only the assumed displacement values (not the derivatives) on the boundaries of the smoothing domains are needed. Thus, a layer of T5 crack-tip element is devised to construct “singular” shape functions via a simple point interpolation with a fractional order basis, without mapping procedure. The effectiveness of the present singular ES-FEM is demonstrated by intensive examples for a wide range of degrees of anisotropy.