Numerical Modeling of Crack Propagation in Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) using XFEM

This research investigates crack propagation in functionally graded materials (FGMs) in non-orthotropic/orthotropic condition. FGMs are from last generations of composites that their mechanical properties change gradually over its differences of volume. This gradually changes prevent from stress concentration at material interfaces when the specimen is subjected to mechanical loadings. As FGMs are quasi-brittle materials, elastic crack model doesn’t cover real crack propagation problem condition in them. So an appropriate crack propagation method should be adopted to investigate crack problems in them. Cohesive crack model is so efficient to model crack faces traction distribution in a quasi-brittle medium during crack propagation. XFEM is a powerful numerical method to