Study of extended and generalised finite element methods in 2D and 3D applied to a single edge notched bending test

This work used the ABAQUS software to determine the Stress Intensity Factor (SIF), and J Integral solutions using single edge notched bending test and the crack propagation. These tests were based on the experimental single-edge notched bending test in a specimen obtained from railway component ASTM A148 90-60. Two simulation techniques were studied to obtain the solutions: the conventional finite element method and the extended finite element method (XFEM). Furthermore, a comparison was developed between the results obtained from the two methods considering the two (2D) and three (3D) dimension models and the experimental results. Posteriorly, the fatigue study was performed through the conventional finite element method, and the stress intensity factor solutions were determined to compare with the experimentally obtained results. In conclusion, using the conventional method to obtain the SIF and J Integral solutions has proved to be very efficient in 2D and 3D, presenting a better precision of results in the two-dimensional model. However, for 3D, the XFEM method obtains J-integral and FIT solutions more accurately than the conventional method. Furthermore, the mesh refinement using conventional and XFEM methods proved that the refinement might not significantly impact the FIT and J Integral solutions.