Numerical simulation of crack propagation in shells

We develop a finite element method for the simulation of fragmentation of thin shells. The method is valid for completely non-linear problems, but is restricted to through-the-thickness cracks, which are normal to the midsurface. The methodology is based on the extended finite element method (X-FEM). The use of X-FEM allows arbitrary crack path evolution and does not require a priori knowledge of the crack zone or remeshing.