Abstract
Modelling crack growth in a traditional finite element framework is cumbersome due to the need for the mesh to match the geometry of the discontinuity. In this talk, we present an algorithm which couples the Level Set Method with the Extended Finite Element Method to model crack growth. The combination of these two methods allows the problem to be solved on a fixed mesh, eliminating the need for remeshing as the crack grows. The Level Set Method is used to represent the crack, including the tips, as it evolves. The Extended Finite Element Method is used to compute the stress and displacement fields necessary for determining the rate of crack growth.