Optimization Algorithm of Crack Initial Angle Using the Extended Finite Element Method

The extended finite element method (XFEM) allows the entire crack to be represented independently from the mesh, which means re-mesh is unnecessary in model crack growth, reduces the computational time drastically. However, fatigue crack growth simulation has been computationally challenged by lots of analog computations in crack growth. Therefore, a new reanalysis algorithm based on incremental Cholesky factorization is derived. In this paper, we consider a variant of XFEM in which an exponent discontinuous function is used to simulate the crack through unit. Then the corresponding formula of XFEM with inclusion and crack problem with a new reanalysis algorithm is derived. In the end, we use the new reanalysis algorithm and an optimization algorithm to predict the angle of crack initiation from a hole in a plate with inclusion. It shows that the algorithm is effective.