Nonlinear discontinuous deformation analysis of structures

A vector form intrinsic finite element (VFIFE) method recently developed by Ting (2002) at National Central University is applied to study the two-dimensional nonlinear dynamic behaviors of structures. This new method can simultaneously calculate large rigid body motions and large geometrical changes of a structural system consisting of multiple continuous bodies. The essence of the method includes a set of equations of motion, an explicit time integration scheme, the use of a deformation coordinate system to dissect rigid body and deformation displacements, and the use of a convected material reference frame to handle the deformation. Contact interactions among blocks are treated by the conventional penalty method. Cracks are allowed to form along interfaces of elements in each continuous body as failure criteria are satisfied. Numerical examples of frame structure having large elastic-plastic deformation and fragmentation states under dynamic excitations are demonstrated.