Energy minimizing multi-crack growth in linear elastic fracture using the extended finite element method

We investigate multiple fracture evolution under quasi-static conditions in an isotropic linear elastic solid based on the principle of minimum potential elastic energy in the framework of the extended finite element method. The technique enables a minimization of the potential energy with respect to all crack increment directions. Results show that the maximum hoop stress criterion and the energy minimization approach converge to the same fracture path. It is found that the converged solution lies in between the fracture paths obtained by each criterion for coarser meshes. This presents an opportunity to estimate an upper and lower bound of the true fracture path as well as an error on the crack path.