Dynamic crack propagation based on loss of hyperbolicity and a new discontinuous enrichment

A methodology is developed for switching from a continuum to a discrete discontinuity where the governing partial differential equation loses hyperbolicity. The approach is limited to rate‐independent materials, so that the transition occurs on a set of measure zero. The discrete discontinuity is treated by the extended finite element method (XFEM) whereby arbitrary discontinuities can be incorporated in the model without remeshing. Loss of...