Dynamic Response of Cracked Plate Subjected to Impact Loading Using the Extended Finite Element Method (X-FEM)

Yet and according to our knowledge., the extended finite element method X-FEM has not been used in the dynamic response of cracked plates subjected to impact loading, subject of this study. From prior knowledge of the impact properties (contact force and central deflection) of a virgin plate, one can quantitatively through the present study predicts the eventual presence of discontinuities in plates by comparison of impact properties of cracked plate to the virgin ones. In the numerical implementation, conventional finite element without any discontinuity is first carried out, then enriched functions are added to nodal displacement field for element nodes containing cracks. Therefore no remeshing of the domain is required, leading to a great gain in time computing. The mathematical model includes both transverse shear deformation and rotatory inertia effects. Based on the above, a self contained computer code named "REDYPLAF', written in FORTRAN is hence developed. The effects; of Crack length and crack position on contact force and on plate deflection are analyzed. The obtained results show that the contact force is divided into three zones. The same fact is also observed for die maximum plate deflection. Another observed fact is related to crack dissymmetry which has a direct effect on the maximum plate deflection.