Modeling Crack Propagation in Polycrystalline Microstructure Using Variational Multiscale Method

Figure 3

Shape functions for representing the displacement jump. Two cases are possible by comparing the outward normal direction of the element edge not intersected by the crack and the normal direction of the discontinuity within the element. (a) and point in the same direction: the shape function is the difference between and a Heaviside function centered at the crack. (b) and point in the opposite directions: the shape function is the difference between and a Heaviside function centered at the crack.

(a)

(b)