A study of characteristic element length for higher-order finite elements

A study of characteristic element length for higher-order finite elements

Jiahui Shen

Abstract. The utilization of a fracture energy regularization technique, based on the crack band model, can effectively resolve the issue of mesh-size dependency in the finite element modelling of quasi-brittle structures. However, achieving accurate results requires proper estimation of the characteristic element length in the finite element method. This study presents practical calculation methods for the characteristic element length, particularly for higher-order finite elements based on the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF). Additionally, a modified Mazars damage model that incorporates fracture energy regularization is employed for damage analysis in quasi-brittle materials. An experimental benchmark is adopted then for validation, and the result shows that the proposed methods ensure accurate regularization of fracture energy and provide mesh-independent structural behaviors.

Keywords
Fracture Energy Regularization, Characteristic Element Length, Damage Analysis, Higher-Order Beam Theories, Carrera Unified Formulation

Published online 9/1/2023, 7 pages
Copyright © 2023 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA

Citation: Jiahui Shen, A study of characteristic element length for higher-order finite elements, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 33, pp 226-232, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644902677-33

The article was published as article 33 of the book Aerospace Science and Engineering

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

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