Dynamic crack propagation based on loss of hyperbolicity and a new discontinuous enrichment

A methodology is developed for switching from a continuum to a discrete discontinuity where the governing partial differential equation loses hyperbolicity. The approach is limited to rate-independent materials, so that the transition occurs on a set of measure zero. The discrete discontinuity is treated by the extended finite element method (XFEM) whereby arbitrary discontinuities can be incorporated in the model without remeshing. Loss of hyperbolicity is tracked by a hyperbolicity indicator that enables both the crack speed and crack direction to be determined for a given material model. A new method was developed for the case when the discontinuity ends within an element; it facilitates the modelling of crack tips that occur within an element in a dynamic setting. The method is applied to several dynamic crack growth problems including the branching of cracks.