ABAQUS and ANSYS Implementations of the Peridynamics-Based Finite Element Method (PeriFEM) for Brittle Fractures

In this study, we propose the first unified implementation strategy for peridynamics in commercial finite element method (FEM) software packages based on their application programming interface using the peridynamics-based finite element method (PeriFEM). Using ANSYS and ABAQUS as examples, we present the numerical results and implementation details of PeriFEM in commercial FEM software. PeriFEM is a reformulation of the traditional FEM for solving peridynamic equations numerically. It is considered that the non-local features of peridynamics yet possesses the same computational framework as the traditional FEM. Therefore, this implementation benefits from the consistent computational frameworks of both PeriFEM and the traditional FEM. An implicit algorithm is used for both ANSYS and ABAQUS; however, different convergence criteria are adopted owing to their unique features. In ANSYS, APDL enables users to conveniently obtain broken-bond information from UPFs; thus, the convergence criterion is chosen as no new broken bond. In ABAQUS, obtaining broken-bond information is not convenient for users; thus, the default convergence criterion is used in ABAQUS. The codes integrated into ANSYS and ABAQUS are both verified through benchmark examples, and the computational convergence and costs are compared. The results show that, for some specific examples, ABAQUS is more efficient, whereas the convergence criterion adopted in ANSYS is more robust. Finally, 3D examples are presented to demonstrate the ability of the proposed approach to deal with complex engineering problems.