A NURBS-discontinuous and enriched isogeometric boundary element formulation for two-dimensional fatigue crack growth

A new extended isogeometric boundary element method (XIGABEM) formulation is proposed for simulating multiple fatigue crack propagation in two-dimensional domains. The classical use of NURBS formulations further by repeated knot insertion to introduce a C−1 continuity within the approximation space as an elegant approach representing geometrical discontinuities at intersections. This strategy also used restrict enrichment term portion defining tip, where it necessary. At this near-tip zone, linear elastic fracture mechanics solutions are embedded into displacement represent theoretical square root behaviour. procedure introduces just two degrees freedom per and tying constraint yield system. In direct approach, stress intensity factors (SIFs) found terms solution vector without requiring post-processing techniques. Several examples presented illustrate application XIGABEM. accuracy results compares favourably against those from literature, obtained unenriched enriched indirect methods that employ J-integral SIF extraction. Furthermore, capable significantly reducing execution time.