Finite Element Quadrature of Regularized Discontinuous and Singular Level Set Functions in 3D Problems

Regularized Heaviside and Dirac delta function are used in several fields of computational physics and mechanics. Hence the issue of the quadrature of integrals of discontinuous and singular functions arises. In order to avoid ad-hoc quadrature procedures, regularization of the discontinuous and the singular fields is often carried out. In particular, weight functions of the signed distance with respect to the discontinuity interface are exploited. Tornberg and Engquist (Journal of Scientific Computing, 2003,19: 527-552) proved that the use of compact support weight function is not suitable because it leads to errors that do not vanish for decreasing mesh size. They proposed the adoption of non-compact support weight functions. In the present contribution, the relationship between the Fourier transform of the weight functions and the accuracy of the regularization procedure is exploited. The proposed regularized approach was implemented in the eXtended Finite Element Method. As a three-dimensional example, we study a slender solid characterized by an inclined interface across which the displacement is discontinuous. The accuracy is evaluated for varying position of the discontinuity interfaces with respect to the underlying mesh. A procedure for the choice of the regularization parameters is propose

3D XFEM modelling of imperfect interfaces

In this paper, recent contributions to the modelling of coated inclusions by means of an eXtended Finite Element Method are presented. The matrix particle interface is modelled as a finite thickness, imperfect interface. Two approaches are considered: a variational approach inspired to Suquet’s work on asymptotic analysis of thin layers, and an approach based on Eshelby’s equivalent eigenstrain approach. The former approach is asymptotically consistent with imperfect interfaces, while the latter approach holds for thin and thick coating layers, whose behavior can be assimilated to that of imperfect interfaces

Accuracy of three-dimensional analysis of regularized discontinuities

In computational mechanics, the quadrature of discontinuous and singular functions is often required. To avoid specialized quadrature procedures, discontinuous and singular fields can be regularized. However, regularization changes the algebraic structure of the solving equations, and this can lead to high errors. We show how to acquire accurate and consistent results when regularization is carried out. A three-dimensional analysis of a tensile butt joint is performed through a regularized extended finite element method. The accuracy obtained via Gaussian quadrature is compared with that obtained by means of CUBPACK adaptive quadrature FORTRAN tool. The use of regularized functions with non-compact and compact support is investigated through an error evaluation procedure based on the use of their Fourier transform. The proposed procedure leads to the remarkable conclusion that regularized delta functions with non-compact support exhibit superior performanc

Variationally consistent eXtended FE model for 3D planar and curved imperfect interfaces

We propose an eXtended Finite Element Method convergent to the asymptotic solution of a thin interface problem for both planar and curved imperfect interfaces in three dimensions. The main advantage over standard cohesive-zone models is the bulk-mesh size independence. With respect to standard eXtended Finite Element Method, in the proposed procedure, blending and quadrature sub-domains are not required. The focus is on the evaluation of the accuracy of the proposed approach in solving three-dimensional benchmark tests. The numerical results are compared with those available from analytical solutions and spring-like interface model