Title
A general topology-based framework for adaptive insertion of cohesive elements in finite element meshes
Abstract
Large-scale simulation of separation phenomena in solids such as fracture, branching, and fragmentation requires a scalable data structure representation of the evolving model. Modeling of such phenomena can be successfully accomplished by means of cohesive models of fracture, which are versatile and effective tools for computational analysis. A common approach to insert cohesive elements in finite element meshes consists of adding discrete special interfaces (cohesive elements) between bulk elements. The insertion of cohesive elements along bulk element interfaces for fragmentation simulation imposes changes in the topology of the mesh. This paper presents a unified topology-based framework for supporting adaptive fragmentation simulations, being able to handle two- and three-dimensional models, with finite elements of any order. We represent the finite element model using a compact and “complete” topological data structure, which is capable of retrieving all adjacency relationships needed for the simulation. Moreover, we introduce a new topology-based algorithm that systematically classifies fractured facets (i.e., facets along which fracture has occurred). The algorithm follows a set of procedures that consistently perform all the topological changes needed to update the model. The proposed topology-based framework is general and ensures that the model representation remains always valid during fragmentation, even when very complex crack patterns are involved. The framework correctness and efficiency are illustrated by arbitrary insertion of cohesive elements in various finite element meshes of self-similar geometries, including both two- and three-dimensional models. These computational tests clearly show linear scaling in time, which is a key feature of the present data-structure representation. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is also demonstrated by dynamic fracture analysis through finite element simulations of actual engineering problems.
Year
DOI
Venue
2008
10.1007/s00366-007-0069-7
Eng. Comput. (Lond.)
Keywords
Field
DocType
various finite element mesh,bulk element,bulk element interface,general topology-based framework,finite element,finite element mesh,cohesive model,cohesive element,finite element simulation,fragmentation simulation cohesive zone models czm intrinsic model extrinsic model topological data structure,adaptive insertion,finite element model,three-dimensional model,data structure,three dimensional,cohesive zone model
Adjacency list,Topology,Data structure,Polygon mesh,General topology,Mechanical engineering,Correctness,Extended finite element method,Theoretical computer science,Finite element method,Mathematics,Mixed finite element method
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
24
1
1435-5663
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
3
0.43
4
Authors
4
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Glaucio H. Paulino1207.00
Waldemar Celes214115.93
Rodrigo Espinha3302.42
Zhengyu (Jenny) Zhang430.43