The XFEM meshcut user object uses a lower dimensional mesh of the crack to tell xfem where to cut elements. There is currently an interaction integral method for growing the existing meshcut mesh. In some cases, we also need to use stress to move grow the crack/meshcut mesh.
Design
Create a new volume average stress vector postprocessor similar to the interaction integral vpp that can be used to grow the crack.
Impact
Cracks will be able to grow in regions with high stresses where the interaction integral cannot represent the crack fields.
Motivation
The XFEM meshcut user object uses a lower dimensional mesh of the crack to tell xfem where to cut elements. There is currently an interaction integral method for growing the existing meshcut mesh. In some cases, we also need to use stress to move grow the crack/meshcut mesh.
Design
Create a new volume average stress vector postprocessor similar to the interaction integral vpp that can be used to grow the crack.
Impact
Cracks will be able to grow in regions with high stresses where the interaction integral cannot represent the crack fields.