Local and Global Approaches to Fracture Mechanics Using Isogeometric Analysis Method

The present research investigates the implementations of different computational geometry technologies in isogeometric analysis framework for computational fracture mechanics. NURBS and T-splines are two different computational geometry technologies which are studied in this work. Among the features of B-spline basis functions, the possibility of enhancing a B-spline basis with discontinuities by means of knot insertion makes isogeometric analysis method a suitable candidate for modeling discrete cracks. Also, the repetition of two different control points between two patches can create a discontinuity in and demonstrates a singularity in the stiffness matrix. In the case of a pre-defined interface, non-uniform rational B-splines are used to obtain an efficient discretization. T-splines constitute a type of computational geometry technology with the possibility of local refinement and with no topologically rectangular arrangement of control points. Therefore, T-splines can decrease superfluous control points which do not have any major effects on the geometry. Various numerical simulations demonstrate the suitability of the isogeometric approach in fracture mechanics.