On quasi-brittle static fracture analysis of micropolar plates via XFEM model

The main objective of this study is to implement extended finite element method (XFEM) to two-dimensional (2D) micropolar structures in order to extract basic fracture parameters required in linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) in a computationally efficient manner, and thus to provide basis to explore the crack propagation phenomenon within this framework. The stress and couple-stress intensity factors (SIF and CSIF) are detected with the aid of interaction integral, I-integral, and compared with the ones in the literature for validation purposes while an engineering problem of practical importance; plate with an oblique edge crack, is investigated to demonstrate the applicability of the developed methodology. The approach presents considerable simplification in modelling process owing to ability of XFEM to treat discontinuities and singularities appeared in the cracked domains, and offers a new, and different perspective to available methods (e.g. phase field method and peridynamics), each with their own advantages and limitations, extended to deal with crack and its growth in micropolar structures.