The moving finite element method based on delaunay automatic triangulation for fracture path prediction simulations in nonlinear elastic-plastic materials

First, for growing cracks in elastic-plastic materials, an incremental variational principle is developed to satisfy the boundary conditions near newly created crack surfaces. Then using this variational principle, a moving finite element method is formulated and developed, based on the Delaunay automatic triangulation. Furthermore, theoretical backgrounds on numerical prediction for fracture path of curving crack using T* integral are explained. Using the automatic moving finite element method, fracture-path prediction simulations are successfully carried out.