SMART

Crack-initiation and -growth occur in the separation process of crack surfaces, implying that the crack geometry changes. The most direct simulation method uses a remeshing technique to accommodate the changes in the fracture process. Mechanical APDL Separating, Morphing, Adaptive and Remeshing Technology (SMART) provides remeshing-based tools for automated crack-growth simulation in structural components.

A key component of the technology is crack representation during crack-growth. SMART uses a combination of automated morphing, adaptive, and remeshing techniques to accommodate crack changes.

SMART can model both static and fatigue crack-growth.

VCCT

For crack-growth along the interfaces, the VCCT-based crack-growth simulation has become a widely used technique for simulating interface delamination of laminate composites. The technique is also well suited for modeling the fracture process in a homogeneous medium, as fracture can be considered a separation process between two surfaces.

CZM

Use the cohesive zone model (CZM) to simulate interface delamination and other fracture phenomena. This approach introduces failure mechanisms by using the hardening-softening relationships between the separations and incorporating the corresponding tractions across the interface.

This technique is also well suited for modeling the fracture process in a homogeneous medium. An interface delamination and failure simulation is performed by first separating the model into two components or groups of elements, then defining a cohesive zone between the two groups. You can model interface delamination with either interface elements or contact elements (debonding).

XFEM

XFEM-based crack-growth simulation method simulates crack-growth along an arbitrary path in linear elastic homogeneous materials. The technique provides a good engineering approach to crack-growth simulation and avoids remeshing of crack-tip regions.

Engineering structures often operate under cyclic loads, where the loads remain below critical limits. Existing cracks in such structures can propagate, causing extensive damage. XFEM offers a convenient approach to modeling fatigue crack-growth problems.