Variable node higher-order XFEM for fracture modeling in orthotropic material

A novel computational approach presented in this work to improve the accuracy and efficiency of fracture modeling in an orthotropic material medium. Extended finite element method (XFEM) with higher-order enrichment functions was employed at the different scale mesh topology. The approach combined variable node element concepts for different scale mesh connections and higher-order XFEM for accuracy and completeness of discontinuity domain. The proposed computational methodology was employed with in-house developed MATLAB code. Further, stochastic fracture studies were discussed for reliability of the cracked structures. Few numerical examples with multiple geometrical discontinuities were simulated to check the computational efficiency and accuracy.