Abstract
Developing a numerical method to accurately simulate the brittle crack propagation phenomenon is crucial for ensuring the safety of large-scale steel structures. In this study, we have developed a strategy for analysing high-speed crack propagation in three-dimensional (3D) solids on the basis of the s-version finite element method (s-method). In the proposed strategy, the entire structure is represented by a relatively coarse global mesh, while the fine local mesh is defined in the vicinity of the crack front as an ideal structured mesh aligned with both the crack front direction and crack propagation direction to accurately simulate the crack propagation. The proposed strategy was verified by evaluating the accuracies of the local stress in dynamically propagating circular crack problems as well as those of the stress intensity factor. The results demonstrate that the proposed strategy provides unprecedented accuracy and efficiency of simulating high-speed crack propagation in a 3D solid without requiring any complicated remeshing procedures. Therefore, the proposed strategy has potential as the basis of a numeral framework for analysing high-speed brittle crack propagation problems.
