An eXtended Finite Element Method implementation in COMSOL Multiphysics: Solid Mechanics

This paper presents the implementation of eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM) in general-purpose commercial software COMSOL Multiphysics for first time. An enrichment strategy is proposed, consistent with structure software. To this end, each set functions, an additional Solid Mechanics module incorporated into numerical framework, coupled compatible modifications to internal variables. The Linear Elastic Fracture (LEFM) exclusively adopted crack analysis. model pre-processing, level update, stress intensity factor calculation and propagation analysis are conducted by employing COMSOL’s built-in features conjunction external MATLAB functions through LiveLink. All implementational aspects suggested remedies treatment enriched elements, framework setup, evaluation factors, integration described detail. accuracy robustness proposed method examined several examples, including mixed-mode 2D domains as well stationary planar fractures 3D settings. results represent excellent agreement available analytical, experimental observations literature.