A Revamped Element-Free Galerkin Algorithm for Accelerated Simulation of Fracture and Fatigue Problems in Two-Dimensional Domains

This work presented a revamped element-free Galerkin method algorithm for two-dimensional fracture problems subjected to mechanical/thermoelastic loads. The conventional element-free Galerkin (EFG) technique is modified at the level of approximation along with a novel blended basis enrichment criterion together with parametric optimization at computational level. Further an optimized quadrature point criteria is embedded in the EFGM algorithm to accelerate its computational capability. The modified EFG method exhibits a higher computational efficiency and accuracy than the existing one based on moving least-squares approximation which is susceptible to generation of an ill-conditioned system of equations. The modified algorithm utilizes lesser number of nodes from the problem domain compared to the conventional EFG method for the construction of shape function. A variety of two-dimensional fracture/fatigue problems, have been modelled and simulated with the revamped algorithm. Results reveal that the revamped element-free Galerkin (REFG) method is a robust and efficient technique for modelling two-dimensional fracture problems under both mechanical and thermoelastic loads. Moreover, a significant reduction in computational time is achieved with the proposed algorithm which adds to the prowess of the proposed REFG method.