Extended Finite Element Method

6.2. Overview of Plate and Shell Fracture Mechanics

Plate and shell supported transverse loads are widely used structures in engineering. The fracture mechanics of plates and shells is mainly delineated into two theories (Liu and Jiang, 2000): Kirchhoff–Love plate and shell (hereafter referred to as Kirchhoff plate and shell) bending fracture theory and Mindlin–Reissner plate and shell (hereafter referred to as Reissner plate and shell) bending fracture theory. The former is suitable for thin plates and shells, while the latter is suitable for thicker plates and shells. Since an approximate boundary condition of equivalent shear force is introduced into Kirchhoff plates and shells, there is a serious theoretical drawback when it is used to deal ...