Crack propagation modelling using the weak form quadrature element method with minimal remeshing

Crack propagation is modelled by a weak form quadrature element method (QEM), in combination with the subregion generalized variational principle, proposed earlier. The method modelled the crack-tip region as a circular complementary energy region and the rest as a potential energy region. Then stress intensity factors could be extracted accurately through a straightforward formulation. In the present paper, by extending the idea, the crack propagation is automatically modelled considering the cracking criterion and remeshing procedure. Due to the global coarse mesh feature of the method, only a simple and minimal remeshing procedure is required to follow the entire crack growth path. The effectiveness and simplicity of the method are demonstrated by a few benchmark problems. Much less nodes and elements are needed by the present method compared to some other numerical methods.