Scaled Boundary Finite Element Analysis

Accelerating Damage Related Numerical Calculations by Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method

The work conducted within the context of this funded project resulted in a) a multiscale extension of the scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM) as well as b) a state-of-the-art and highly flexible damage localization scheme. A multiscale crack propagation scheme, where in the undamaged domains are accounted for with a coarser mesh, while the damaged portions are fully resolved, will be presented as WCCM 2018. The benefit of utilizing SBFEM within the context of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) is the significant reduction of the computational toll required for an analysis, when compared to competing methods.

Quadtree Meshes

Until recently, the SBFEM was limited by the availability of complementary meshers. The emergence of quadtree based meshers specific to SBFEM have greatly extended the scope of problems the SBFEM can be applied to. These advances enabled the extension of SBFEM to multiscale problems and the application of the SBFEM to realistic damage localization problems. Some examples can be found here.

Multiscale Analysis

Eventhough use of the SBFEM can greatly reduce the computational toll of analysis, realistic structures still pose significant difficulties. Fusing the extended multiscale finite element method with the SBFEM is shown to greatly reduce computaitonal cost. Examples can be found here.

Damage Localization

The crack detection and localization scheme developed in this work exploits the underlying quadtree data structure. Since many forward analyses are required, minimizing the computational toll of one such analysis run is of paramount importance and investigated thoroughly. The result is a state-of-the-art and highly flexible damage localization scheme, which enables an end-user to obtain results on a contemporary laptop, which would have previously required access to a cluster. Examples can be found here.

Output Data

Journals

1. An enhanced scaled boundary finite element method for linear elastic fracture. external page link

Conference Papers

1. The scaled boundary finite element method for the efficient modelling of linear elastic fracture. external page link

Conference Presentations

1. The scaled boundary finite element method for the efficient modelling of linear elastic fracture. FraMCoS-9 2016.
2. Revisiting fracture via a scaled boundary multiscale approach (classical SBFEM). UNCECOMP 2017. Download Presentation (PDF, 2.7 MB)
3. Crack detection by SBFEM with global optimization algorithms. UNSCCM14 2017. Download Presentation (PDF, 1.7 MB)
4. Revisiting fracture via a scaled boundary multiscale approach (quadtree SBFEM). YIC 2017. Download Presentation (PDF, 4.7 MB)
   

Software

Matlab code repositories for solving different types of SBFEM analysis:

1. 2D SBFEM code including accurate computation of stress intensity factors, Download link (ZIP, 47 KB)
2. 2D SBFEM code based on quadtree meshes for stress analysis of arbitrary geometries, Download link (ZIP, 4.9 MB)
3. 2D Multiscale SBFEM code with both classic and quadtree meshes including calculation of stress intensity factors, Download link (ZIP, 40 KB)

The support and guidance of the Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety (CIES) at UNSW and in particular the group surrounding Prof. Dr. C. Song, is greatly appreciated. external page link

Read more on the external page SNF Research database