Mass lumping strategies for X-FEM explicit dynamics: Application to crack propagation

This paper deals with the numerical modelling of cracks in the dynamic case using the extended finite element method. More precisely, we are interested in explicit algorithms. We prove that by using a specific lumping technique, the critical time step is exactly the same as if no crack were present. This somewhat improves a previous result for which the critical time step was reduced by a factor of square root of 2 from the case with no crack. The new lumping technique is obtained by using a lumping strategy initially developed to handle elements containing voids. To be precise, the results obtained are valid only when the crack is modelled by the Heaviside enrichment. Note also that the resulting lumped matrix is block diagonal (blocks of size 2 × 2). For constant strain elements (linear simplex elements) the critical time step is not modified when the element is cut. Thanks to the lumped mass matrix, the critical time step never tends to zero. Moreover, the lumping techniques conserve kinetic energy for rigid motions. In addition, tensile stress waves do not propagate through the discontinuity. Hence, the lumping techniques create neither error on kinetic energy conservation for rigid motions nor wave propagation through the crack. Both these techniques will be used in a numerical experiment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.