The focus of this note lies on the numerical analysis of models describing the propagation
of a single crack in a linearly elastic material. The evolution of the crack is modeled as a
rate-independent process based on the Griffith criterion. We follow two different approaches
for setting up mathematically well defined models: the global energetic approach and an
approach based on a viscous regularization.
We prove the convergence of solutions of fully discretized models (i.e. with respect to time
and space) and derive relations between the discretization parameters (mesh size, time step
size, viscosity parameter, crack increment) which guarantee the convergence of the schemes.
Further, convergence rates are provided for the approximation of energy release rates by
certain discrete energy release rates. Thereby we discuss both, models with self-contact
conditions on the crack faces as well as models with pure Neumann conditions on the crack
faces. The convergence proofs rely on regularity estimates for the elastic fields close to the
crack tip and local and global finite element error estimates. Finally the theoretical results
are illustrated with some numerical calculations.
Global spatial regularity for elasticity models with cracks, contact and other nonsmooth constraints
(2012)
A global higher differentiability result in Besov
spaces is proved for the displacement fields of linear elastic models
with self contact.
Domains with cracks are studied, where nonpenetration
conditions/Signorini conditions are imposed on the crack faces.
It is shown that
in a neighborhood of crack tips (in 2D) or
crack fronts (3D) the displacement fields are
$B^{3/2}_{2,\infty}$ regular.
The proof relies on a difference
quotient argument for the directions tangential to the crack. In order
to obtain the regularity estimates also in the normal direction, an
argument due to
Ebmeyer/Frehse/Kassmann is modified.
The methods are then applied to further examples like
contact problems with nonsmooth rigid foundations, to a model with
Tresca friction and
to minimization problems with
nonsmooth energies and constraints as they occur for instance in the modeling of
shape memory alloys.
Based on Falk's approximation Theorem for variational
inequalities, convergence rates for FE-discretizations of contact
problems are derived relying on the proven regularity properties.
Several numerical examples illustrate the theoretical results.