K
KITT
Text
Enriched C1 Finite Elements for Cracks in Strain Gradient Elasticity
A new triangular C1 finite element for plane-strain crack problems in simplified strain gradient elasticity (SGE), built by enriching a fifth-degree C1-continuous polynomial interpolation (originally for plate bending) with the near-field analytic SGE crack solutions while preserving C1 continuity. It accurately represents near-tip strain and stress fields, directly yields the amplitude factors of the SGE asymptotic solution and the associated J-integral (energy release rate), improves convergence for mode I and mode II problems, and quantifies size effects, finding amplitude factors linear in crack size for large cracks.