A 3D meshfree crack propagation algorithm for the dynamic fracture in arbitrary curved shell.

In this work, we proposed a meshfree crack propagation algorithm for dynamic fracture in arbitrary curved shell structures. In the numerical simulation of shell fracture, the treatment of crack discontinuity and simulation of fracture fragments are involved. In meshfree methods, since the connection between particles can be changed easily, which makes it suitable for dealing with such problems. In this study, firstly, the crack initiation algorithm for both ductile and brittle material is proposed based on the damage evolution. Besides, in the simulation, we assume that the crack tip coincides with the stress point, which means that the crack tip moves from one stress point to another, and by connecting the crack tip, the crack path is generated. Then a 3D visibility criterion for arbitrary curved shell structures is established, based on which the support domain of stress points is cut by the crack path to model the crack discontinuity. Finally, the crack propagation algorithm for dynamic fracture in curved shells is established; several numerical examples are studied to verify the reliability of the proposed algorithm. • Propose a 3D meshfree crack propagation algorithm for dynamic fracture in curved shells. • The damage constitutive model for shell structures is proposed. • Crack initialization is achieved based on the damage evolution. • Establish an efficient 3D visibility criterion for the arbitrary curved shell. • Corrected material parameters in the damage model eliminate 'Mesh sensitivity' problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]