Analysis of multi-crack propagation by using the extended boundary element method

A new way is proposed to simulate the crack propagation paths of the multi-cracked structure. Firstly, the complete displacement and stress fields of the multi-cracked structure are calculated by the extended boundary element method (XBEM) coupled with characteristic analysis of the crack tip. Secondly, based on the maximum circumferential stress criterion by considering the contribution of the non-singular stress terms, the crack initiation angles are obtained. Thirdly, the cracks propagate forward along the crack initiation angles to form a new multi-cracked structure. During this process, boundary element adaptive mesh technique is established and the XBEM is used to analyze the newly formed multi-cracked structure repeatedly. Finally, the crack propagation paths of the multi-cracked structure are obtained. Numerical examples show that the results obtained by the XBEM are in good agreement with the experimental results.