Abstract
Using the X-FEM (eXtended Finite Elememt Method), we analyze the energy release rate rate at the onset of crack kinking for an isotropic linear elastic material in an infinite plate with a centered crack under an uniaxial tension load. In the X-FEM, we propose a simple method in which only the four-node quadrilateral isoparametric elements in the fractured element are employed without the enrichment by the near-tip asymptotic solution. In the trial example for a stationary crack, we find that this method gives the rather good approximation for the stress distributionear the crack tip.The result of the energy release rate for any kinking angle using the path independent E-Integral shows a very high accuracy in comparison with a known theoretical result.
