Modeling holes and voids in three dimensions using a single element within the Extended Finite Element framework

AbstractThis paper introduces a highly efficient computational approach using the extended finite element method to model three-dimensional mechanics of holes and voids. The defect is encapsulated within a single element with a tailored exponential enrichment function that captures the behavior near the discontinuity boundary and can account for the pressure acting on the void’s surface through an equivalent nodal force vector. The method’s results were compared against analytical solutions and conventional finite element method results for problems involving single and multiple holes. The comparison demonstrated that the method provides accurate stress concentration estimates while adhering to computational constraints.Keywords: Modeling of holesmodeling damagespherical voidXFEMexponential enrichment function Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis material was based on work done under the Resilient Extra-Terrestrial Habitat Institute (RETHi) supported by a Space Technology Research Institute grant [No.80NSSC19K1076] from NASA's Space Technology Research Grants Program.