A multidomain boundary element formulation for the analysis of general two-dimensional plane strain/stress crack problems is presented. The numerical results were accurate and efficient. The analyses were performed using traction singular quater-point boundary elements on each side of the crack tip(s) with and without transition elements. Traction singular quarter-point boundary elements contain the correct √r displacement and 1/√r traction variations at the crack tip. Transition elements are appended to the traction singular elements to model the √r displacement variation. The 1/√r traction singularity is not represented with these elements. Current research studies for the crack propagation analysis of quasi-static and fatigue fracture problems are discussed.

Two‐dimensional stress intensity factor computations using the boundary element method

We consider the application of least-squares variational principles to the numerical solution of partial differential equations. Our main focus is on the development of least-squares finite element methods for elliptic boundary value problems arising in fields such as fluid flows, linear elasticity, and convection-diffusion. For many of these problems, least-squares principles offer numerous theoretical and computational advantages in the algorithmic design and implementation of corresponding finite element methods that are not present in standard Galerkin discretizations. Most notably, the use of least-squares principles leads to symmetric and positive definite algebraic problems and allows us to circumvent stability conditions such as the inf-sup condition arising in mixed methods for the Stokes and Navier--Stokes equations. As a result, application of least-squares principles has led to the development of robust and efficient finite element methods for a large class of problems of practical importance.

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Finite Element Methods of Least-Squares Type

A consistent method for computing stress-intensity factors from three-dimensional quarter-point element nodal displacements is presented. The method is generalized to permit functional evaluation of stress-intensity factors along the crack front. Embedded, surface, and corner crack problems are solved using the proposed technique. Results are compared to previous finite element and boundary element solutions. The comparison shows that use of the functional evaluation technique allows a dramatic decrease in problem size while still maintaining engineering accuracy. Next, a three-dimensional stress-intensity factor calibration of an unusual specimen configuration is presented. By taking advantage of the proposed technique, the calibration was performed with little difference in cost over the more usual two-dimensional approach. Moreover, the three-dimensional solution revealed intersting behaviour that would have been undetected by a two-dimensional solution. Finally, the results of a study on optimum size of the quarter-point element are presented. Surprisingly, Poisson ratio is shown to have marked effect on optimum element size.

Stress‐intensity factor computation in three dimensions with quarter‐point elements

3 – theory of crack initiation and propagation in rock

An overview is given of new developments of the least squares finite element method (LSFEM) in fluid dynamics. Special emphasis is placed on the universality of LSFEM; the symmetry and positiveness of the algebraic systems obtained from LSFEM; the accommodation of LSFEM to equal order interpolations for incompressible viscous flows; and the natural numerical dissipation of LSFEM for convective transport problems and high speed compressible flows. The performance of LSFEM is illustrated by numerical examples.

Least-squares finite element method for fluid dynamics

A generalization of the (r−1/2) strain or stress singularity capability of the quadratic isoparametric element is presented. It is shown that, by variable placement of the side-nobe between quarter- and mid-point, the point of singularity sensed by the element can be controlled. By using eight-noded quadrilateral isoparametric elements with appropriately placed side-nodes as transition elements between the quarter-point crack-tip trinagular and remaining non-singular elements, stress intensity factors may be computed with higher accuracy.

Transition elements to be used with quarter-point crack-tip elements

This paper presents a new method of formulating the finite element relationships based on the least squares criterion. To overcome the high degree of inter-element continuity, a method of reducing the original governing differential equation to a set of equivalent system of first-order differential equations is proposed. The validity of the method is demonstrated by means of several numerical examples. In particular, application of the method to problems with unknown variational functionals is considered.

Use of the least squares criterion in the finite element formulation

This paper presents a method of developing a family of 1/rn type infinite elements for the analysis of problems definite in unbounded media. The proposed method is a direct extension of the conventional finite element method. The resulting improper integrals are integrated exactly over the infinite element domains. Two numerical examples in elastic half-space static problems are investigated to illustrate the applicability and accuracy of the method. The use of the proposed infinite elements yields excellent results and preserves all the advantages of the finite element method.

Infinite elements with 1/rn type decay

Finite elements formulated by the weighted discrete least squares method

Based on the least squares error criterion, a class of finite element is formulated for the numerical analysis of steady state viscous boundary layer flow problems. The method is essentially a discrete element-wise minimization of square and weighted residuals which arise from the attempts in approximately satisfying boundary layer equations. An iterative linearization scheme is developed to circumvent the mathematical difficulties posed by the non-linear boundary layer equations. It results in a process of successive least squares minimizations of residual errors arising from satisfying a set of linear differential equations. A mathematical justification for the method is presented. A major feature of the method lies in the linearization approach which renders non-linear differential equations amenable to linear least squares finite element analysis. Another important feature rests on the proposed finite element formulation which preserves the symmetric nature of finite element matrix equations through the use of the least squares error criterion. Numerical examples of viscous flow along a flat plate are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the method as well as to illuminate discussions on the theoretical aspects of the method.

Paul P. Lynn

Papers

Transition elements to be used with quarter-point crack-tip elements

Use of the least squares criterion in the finite element formulation

Infinite elements with 1/rn type decay

Finite elements formulated by the weighted discrete least squares method

Least squares finite element analysis of laminar boundary layer flows