Three-dimensional crack initiation, propagation, branching and junction in non-linear materials by an extended meshfree method without asymptotic enrichment

This paper presents a three-dimensional, extrinsically enriched meshfree method for initiation, branching, growth and coalescence of an arbitrary number of cracks in non-linear solids including large deformations, for statics and dynamics. The novelty of the methodology is that only an extrinsic discontinuous enrichment and no near-tip enrichment is required. Instead, a Lagrange multiplier field is added along the crack front to close the crack. This decreases the computational cost and removes difficulties involved with a branch enrichment. The results are compared to experimental data, and other simulations from the literature to show the robustness and accuracy of the method. 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.