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Computers and Structures 86 (2008) 1141–1151

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Review

A survey of the extended finite element

Yazid Abdelaziz *, Abdelmadjid Hamouine
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Bechar, Bechar 08000, Algeria

Received 31 October 2007; accepted 2 November 2007

Available online 20 December 2007

Abstract

This article presents an overview and recent progress of the extended finite element method X-FEM in the analysis of crack growth
modeling. It summarizes the important milestones achieved by the finite element community in the arena of computational fracture
mechanics. The methodology of X-FEM, different from that of the classical finite element method, presents a very particular interest
since it does not force the discontinuities to be in conformity with the borders. It makes possible the accurate solution of engineering
problems in complex domains, which may be practically impossible to solve using the classical finite element method.
Ó 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Extended finite element; Level sets method; Fracture mechanics

Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1142
2. X-FEM: concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1142
2.1. Basic review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1142
2.2. Partition of unity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1143
2.3. Crack tip enrichment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1143
2.4. Heaviside function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1143
2.5. Multiple branched cracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1144
2.6. Criterion selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1144
2.7. Numerical integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1144
2.8. Level set method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1145
3. Robustness and improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1145
3.1. Convergence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1145
3.2. Stress intensity calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1145
3.3. Stress analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1145
4. X-FEM: extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1145
4.1. Space–time X-FEM formulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1145
4.2. Dynamic cracks growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1146
4.3. Elastic–plastic fracture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1146
4.4. Intrinsic X-FEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1146
4.5. Superposing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1146
5. X-FEM implantation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1146
6. X-FEM: divers applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1147

*
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: abdelaziz970@yahoo.fr (Y. Abdelaziz).

0045-7949/$ - see front matter Ó 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.compstruc.2007.11.001
1142 Y. Abdelaziz, A. Hamouine / Computers and Structures 86 (2008) 1141–1151

6.1. Holes and material interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1147

6.2. Contact and friction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1147
6.3. Thin film and shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1147
6.4. Cohesive cracks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1147
6.5. Strong and weak discontinuities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1147
6.6. Orthotropic media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1148
6.7. Microstructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1148
7. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1148
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1148

1. Introduction problems can be solved with minimal re-meshing. Dolbow

The finite element method is widely used in industrial
design applications, and many different software packages
based on FEM techniques have been developed. It has
proved to be very well suited for the study of fracture
mechanics. However, modeling the propagation of a crack
through a finite element mesh turns out to be difficult
because of the modification of the mesh topology. More-
over, the crack tip singularity needs to be accurately repre-
sented by the approximation [1]. To accurately model
discontinuities with finite element methods, it is necessary
to conform the discretization to the discontinuity. This
becomes a major difficulty when treating problems with
evolving discontinuities where the mesh must be regener-
ated at each step. Re-projecting the solution on the
updated mesh is not only a costly operation but also it
may have a troublesome impact on the quality of results.
Over the past few decades, several approaches have been
proposed to model crack problems: method based on quar-
ter-point finite element [2], enriched finite element method
[3,4], the boundary collocation method [5], the integral
equation method [6], the body force method [7], the bound-
ary elements method [8], the dislocation method [9–11],
mesh-free methods such as the element-free Galerkin
method [12–14]. To avoid the re-meshing step in crack
modeling, a divers techniques were proposed: the incorpo-
ration of a discontinuous mode on an element level [15], a
moving mesh technique [16], and an enrichment technique
based on a partition-of-unity X-FEM [17].
The essential idea in the extended finite element method,
which is closely related to the generalized finite element
method [18–21], both belonging to the class of partition of
unity methods, is to add discontinuous enrichment func-
tions to the finite element approximation using the partition
of unity [22,23]. An overview of the early developments of
the X-FEM method has been given by Karihaloo and Xiao
[24]. Since that overview many new extensions been made.
2. X-FEM: concepts
2.1. Basic review
The X-FEM method was originally proposed by Bely-
tschko and Black [17]. They presented a method for enrich-
ing finite element approximations so that crack growth
et al. [25,26] and Moes et al. [27] introduced a much more ele-
gant technique by adapting an enrichment that includes the
asymptotic near-tip field and a Heaviside function H(x). The
Heaviside jump function is a discontinuous function across
the crack surface and is constant on each side of the crack:
+1 on one side and 1 on the other. Its use represents the
main improvement of this technique over that presented in
[17], where a mapping algorithm introduced by Fleming
et al. [14] was used. Daux et al. [28] proposed a junction func-
tion concept to account for multiple branched cracks. For
branched cracks, They used the near-tip asymptotic fields
[17], the discontinuous function H(x) for a single crack
[27], and a new discontinuous function J(x) to account the
branching. This technique was employed for modeling com-
plicated geometries such as multiple branched cracks, voids
and cracks emanating from holes. Dolbow et al. [29] studied
the modeling of cracks growth in plates in the Mind-
lin–Reissner framework. The form of the enriched approxi-
mation is similar to that in [27] with different sets of near-tip
functions for the rotations and transverse displacement.
Sukumar et al. [30] presented an implementation of the
X-FEM method into three-dimensional crack modeling.
They demonstrated the accuracy of this technique for
three-dimensional static cracks: a discontinuous function
was used to model the interior of the crack surface, and
functions from the two-dimensional asymptotic crack tip
displacement fields were used for the crack front enrich-
ment. Belytschko et al. [31] generalized the methodology
for representing discontinuities that are independent of the
mesh. The work unifies and extends the modeling of func-
tions with arbitrary discontinuities and discontinuous deriv-
atives in finite elements first proposed in Refs. [17,27,28,30].
Stolarska et al. [32] used the extended finite element
method in conjunction with the level set method [33] to
treat crack growth in two dimensions. They presented an
algorithm that couples the LSM with the X-FEM to solve
the elasto-static fatigue crack problem. The LSM is used to
represent the crack location, including the location of crack
tips. The X-FEM is used to compute the stress and dis-
placement fields necessary for determining the rate of crack
growth. Non-planar 3D cracks growth was carried out
using X-FEM/LSM [34,35]. The X-FEM method was also
used in concert with a particular level set method, the fast
marching method (FMM) [36] to model the growth of sin-
gle [37] and multiple [38] planar 3D cracks.
 Y. Abdelaziz, A. Hamouine / Computers and Structures 86 (2008) 1141–1151 1143

Belytschko et al. [39] presented a simplified method for 2.2. Partition of unity
modeling solid objects by structured finite elements. The
method use implicit functions to describe the outside sur- A partition of unity (PU) is a parading where a domain
face of the object and any inner surfaces, such as material is devised into overlapping sub-domains XI, each of which
interfaces, sliding surfaces and cracks. Mariani and Perego is associated with a function /I(x)that is non-zero only in
[40] introduced a higher order displacement discontinuity XI and has the following property
in a standard finite element model. They utilized the cubic
X
N
displacement discontinuity, able to reproduce the typical /ðxÞ ¼ 1 in X ð1Þ
cusp-like shape of the process zone at the tip of a cohesive I¼1
crack, to study the mode I crack growth in a wedge-split-
ting test and the mixed I–II mode crack growth in an asym- The partition of unity method gives a theoretical frame-
metric three-point bending test. Bellec and Dolbow [41] work to new techniques such as extended finite elements or
exposed a note on enrichment functions for modeling crack hp-clouds, generalized finite elements.
nucleation. They focused on the particular case where the
extent of the crack approaches the support size of the nodal 2.3. Crack tip enrichment
shape functions. Under these circumstances, the asymp-
totic ‘branch’ functions for each tip may extend beyond The idea of X-FEM consists of an enrichment of the
the length of the crack, resulting in a non-conforming finite element near the crack tip with functions whose span
approximation. The new approximation corrects this defi- includes the two-dimensional plane strain asymptotic crack
ciency with the aid of a ‘ramp function’: They modified tip fields [17]
the near-tip functions through multiplication with a set of       
‘ramp functions’ that enforce the appropriate level of 4 pffiffi h pffiffi h pffiffi h
fF I ðr; hÞgi¼1 ¼ r cos ; r sin ; r sin sin h;
continuity. 2 2 2
  
Ventura et al. [42] developed a vector level set method pffiffi h
for describing the growth of cracks for two-dimensional r cos sin h ð2Þ
2
problems. In the method, the crack geometry is described
by a three-tuple for cracks in two dimensions. The level The approximation takes the form of an extrinsic enrich-
set function is updated by simple geometric formulas. By ment and can be written as
contrast, in standard level set methods the level set is !
X
n X
NeðIÞ
updated by the solution of a hyperbolic partial differential h
u ðxÞ ¼ N I ðxÞ uI þ ajI F j ðr; hÞ ð3Þ
equation. Budyn et al. [43] used the vector level set method I¼1 J ¼1
developed by Ventura [42] for modeling the evolution of !
X
n X
NeðIÞ
multiple cracks in the framework of the extended finite ele- h
m ðxÞ ¼ N I ðxÞ VI þ bjI F j ðr; hÞ ð4Þ
ment method. Both homogeneous and inhomogeneous I¼1 J ¼1
materials were considered.
Dolbow and Devan [44] developed a formulation of an where (r,h) is a polar co-ordinate system with origin at the
enhanced assumed strain method with discontinuous crack tip NI(x) are the standard finite element shape func-
enrichment of the displacement field that exhibits lock- tions. The enrichment coefficients ajI and bjI are associated
ing-free response in the incompressible limit. Ventura with nodes and ne(I) is the number of coefficients for node I:
et al. [45] proposed a new finite element method for accu- it is chosen to be four for all nodes around the crack tip
rately modeling the displacement and stress fields produced and zero at all other nodes.
by a dislocation. In their approaches, the local strain field
generated by the dislocation is included in the finite element 2.4. Heaviside function
basis and no projection procedures are involved.
Larsson and Fagerstrom [46] presented a framework for After intruding the Heaviside jump function, the
fracture modeling based on the material forces concept approximation will be changed to the following formula
with X-FEM-kinematics. The work established a theoreti- [27]:
cal and computational framework for fracture mechanics !
on the basis of the inverse deformation problem with an X X X X
4
1
uh ¼ ui /i þ bj /j H ðxÞ þ /k cl1
k F l ðxÞ
applied discontinuous deformation separated from the con- i2I j2J k2K1 l¼1
tinuous deformation using the extended finite element !
method, or perhaps rather the partitions of unity concept X X
4
2
þ /k cl2
k F l ðxÞ ð5Þ
for crack propagation. Moes et al. [47] introduced a strat- k2K2 l¼1
egy to impose Dirichlet boundary conditions on stationary
or evolving surfaces while preserving the optimal rate of In which J is the set enriched by the crack tip functions
convergence. The key aspect is the construction of the cor- and K is the set enriched by the jump function (Fig. 1). bj
rect Lagrange multiplier space on the boundary. and clk are vectors of additional nodal degrees of freedom.
1144 Y. Abdelaziz, A. Hamouine / Computers and Structures 86 (2008) 1141–1151
Fig. 1. A strategy of enrichment [27].
K1 and K2 are the sets of nodes to be enriched for the first
and second crack tip, respectively. H(x) is Heaviside func-
tion and F l1 ðxÞ and F l2 (x) are near-tip crack functions.
2.5. Multiple branched cracks
In the case of two crossing cracks, it is not proper to
consider them as independent; they should be considered
to be a main crack and two secondary cracks that join
the main crack [28] (Fig. 2).
2.6. Criterion selection
The criterion for selection of H enriched nodes, as given
in [25], relies on the following considerations. For a certain
node, the area of its support denoted by Aw is computed.
The part of its support’s area above, Aab w and below, Aw
be
the crack, are computed. Then, the following ratios are
calculated:
Fig. 2. Example of enrichment for a branched crack [28].
Fig. 4. Partitioning into standard subtriangles [25].
Fig. 3. Area criterion for selection of H(x) enriched nodes [25].
Aab
w
rab ¼ ð6Þ
Aw
Abe
rbe ¼ w ð7Þ
Aw
If either of the above ratios are below a specified toler-
ance, the node is no longer enriched with H. In practice,
a tolerance of 104 is used (Fig. 3).
2.7. Numerical integration
For elements cut by the crack and enriched with the
jump function H(x), Moes et al. [27] make a modification
to the element quadrature routines for the assembly of
the weak form. As the crack is allowed to be arbitrarily ori-
ented in an element, standard Gauss quadrature may not
adequately integrate the discontinuous field. The numerical
integration of cut elements is generally performed by parti-
tioning them into standard subtriangles (Fig. 4). Hence
every time the crack propagates, one uses a new set of sub-
triangles as well and a new Gauss points set.
Ventura [48] studied the elimination of quadrature sub-
cells for discontinuous functions in the extended finite ele-
ment method. In the work, he was shown how standard
Gauss quadrature could be used in the elements containing
the discontinuity without splitting the elements into sub-
cells or introducing any additional approximation. This is
developed with reference to displacement jumps in one,
two and three dimensions and to material discontinuities
in one and two dimensions and in the hypothesis of a linear
discontinuity surface crossing completely an element.
 Y. Abdelaziz, A. Hamouine / Computers and Structures 86 (2008) 1141–1151
2.8. Level set method
The level set method is a numerical scheme developed by
Osher and Sethian [33] to model the motion of interfaces.
The principle of the method is to represent an interface
by the zero of a function, called the level set function,
and to update this function with Hamilton–Jacobi equa-
tions knowing the speed of the interface in the direction
normal to this interface.
A moving interface c(t)  R2 can be formulated as the
level set curve of a function /(x,t)
cðtÞ ¼ fx 2 R2 : /ðx; tÞ ¼ 0g
The motion of c(t) can then be expressed as an evolution
equation for / by taking the time derivative of /
(x(t),t) = 0:
/t þ F kr/k ¼ 0
/ðx; t ¼ 0Þ ¼ given
where F is the speed of the front at x 2 c(t) in the direction
normal to the interface. The initial conditions on / are typ-
ically defined as the signed distance to the interface
/ðx; tÞ ¼  min kx  xk ð10Þ
xuðtÞ
3. Robustness and improvements
3.1. Convergence
An advantage of the X-FEM method is to obtain more
accurate numerical results than classical finite element one.
However, the rate of convergence is not optimal with
respect to the mesh parameter ‘‘h”. This rate is lower than
it is expected with classical finite element method for a
smooth problem as pointed out in Stazi et al. [49]. To
obtain the optimal accuracy, some methods have been pro-
posed such as X-FEM with a fixed enrichment area, high
order X-FEM and the construction of blending elements.
Laborde et al. [50] studied the capabilities of the
extended finite element method to achieve accurate compu-
tations in non-smooth situations such as crack problems.
They proposed some improvements of the X-FEM method
to obtain the optimal accuracy. Chahine et al. [51] gave a
note of the convergence result for a variant of the X-
FEM method on cracked domains using a cut-off function
to localize the singular enrichment area.
3.2. Stress intensity calculation
In Several works, e.g., [17,27,28], the stress intensity fac-
tors are computed at the tip of a crack in 2D bodies using
domain forms of the interaction integrals [52]. Sukumar
et al. [30] used domain integral methods to evaluate SIFs
along the 3D crack front [53]. Duarte et al. [54] extracted
the SIFs by a least squares fit method by minimizing the
errors among the stresses calculated numerically and their
1145
asymptotic values. Nagashima et al. [55] exposed the stress
intensity factor analysis of the bi-material interface crack
problem. They used asymptotic solution of a homogeneous
(not interface) crack to enrich the crack tip nodes, and
adopted a fourth order Gauss integration for a 4-node iso-
parametric element with enriched nodes. Xiao and Kariha-
loo [56] enhanced the accuracy of the local fields and
determined the SIF directly without extra post-processing.
They enriched the nodes of the elements surrounding the
crack tip with the leading as well as higher order terms of
the asymptotic crack tip fields using the PUM. Liu et al.
[57] extend this technique to direct evaluation of mixed
ð8Þ
mode SIFs in homogeneous and bi-materials. Menouillard
et al. [58] presented a general method for the calculation of
mixed mode intensity factors for graded materials.
3.3. Stress analysis
ð9Þ
Legrain et al. [59] studied the stress analysis around crack
tips in finite strain problems. They showed how to solve
non-linear fracture mechanics problems with the extended
finite method, particularly for rubber-like materials. Béchet
et al. [60] improved the robustness of the X-FEM method
for stress analysis around cracks by introducing a different
enrichment scheme; developing new integration quadrature
for asymptotic functions and implementing a precondition-
ing scheme adapted to the enriched functions.
Xiao and Karihaloo [61] improved the accuracy of
X-FEM crack tip fields using higher order quadrature
and statically admissible stress recovery. The quadrature
technique utilizes guarantees convergence of regular nodal
values and coefficients corresponding to enrichment
functions, except of coefficients with very small values.
Dumstorff and Meschke [62] studied numerically the
performance of the different crack propagation criteria in
the framework of X-FEM based structural materials: The
two local criteria include an averaged stress criterion [63]
and the maximum circumferential stress criterion based
on the linear elastic fracture mechanics [64]. The two global
criteria include a global tracking criterion [65] and an
energy based X-FEM formulation recently proposed in [66].
4. X-FEM: extension
4.1. Space–time X-FEM formulation
Chessa and Belytschko [67] proposed an approach to
treat discontinuities in space–time FE. They consider a
space discontinuity that is moving in space–time FE using
an enriched approximation in space. In [68], the interest is
on the modeling of space and time discontinuities and the
approximation will be enriched in space as well as in time.
Chessa and Belytschko [69] presented a locally enriched
space–time finite element method for solving hyperbolic
problems with discontinuities. They examined how the
enriched space–time formulation of [67], in which disconti-
nuities are explicitly tracked with enrichment and level sets,
1146 Y. Abdelaziz, A. Hamouine / Computers and Structures 86 (2008) 1141–1151
can be combined with standard finite element formulations
for hyperbolic equations.
4.2. Dynamic cracks growth
Chen et al. [70] and, more recently, Belytschko [71] pre-
sented a new enrichment technique to avoid the difficulties
encountered with the original X-FEM in time-dependent
problems. They introduced a methodology for treating
dynamic crack growth by the extended finite element
method. The method was developed for switching from a
continuum to a discrete discontinuity where the governing
partial deferential equation loses hyperbolicity. Réthoré
et al. [72] proposed an energy-conserving scheme for
dynamic crack growth using the extended finite element
method. The work proposed a generalization of the X-
FEM to model dynamic fracture and time-dependent prob-
lems in a general sense, and it gave a proof of the stability of
the numerical scheme in the linear case. Zi et al. [73] exposed
a method for modeling arbitrary growth of dynamic cracks.
In this way, the extended finite element method was coupled
with the level set method. Svahn et al. [74] proposed a dis-
crete crack modeling in a new X-FEM format with emphasis
on dynamic response. The discontinuous approximation
was accomplished by usage of basis functions of very limited
support; only non-zero in the elements containing the crack.
4.3. Elastic–plastic fracture
Shamloo et al. [75] employed the X-FEM in elasto-plas-
tic behavior of material based on the cap plasticity model.
The double-surface plasticity model was applied based on a
failure surface and an elliptical yield cap, which closes the
open space between the failure surface and hydrostatic
axis. Elguedj et al. [76] utilized the well-known Hutchin-
son–Rice–Rosengren (HRR) fields [77,78] to represent the
singularities in elastic–plastic fracture mechanics. This
analysis is done in the context of confined plasticity, and
shall be used to predict fatigue crack growth. Prabel
et al. [79] demonstrated that the modelization of a propa-
gating crack in a dynamic elastic–plastic media can be done
using X-FEM linear functions approximation. The pro-
posed idea is to update the level set functions on a regular
grid that is different from the structural mesh. By this
method a very simple and efficient finite difference scheme
can be directly used for level set propagation simulation.
4.4. Intrinsic X-FEM
Fries and Belytschko [80] proposed an intrinsic extended
finite element method for treating arbitrary discontinuities.
Unlike the standard extended FE method, no additional
unknowns are introduced at the nodes whose supports
are crossed by discontinuities. The method constructs an
approximation space consisting of mesh based, enriched
moving least squares (MLS) functions near discontinuities
and standard FE shape functions elsewhere. There is only
one shape function per node, and these functions are able
to represent known characteristics of the solution such as
discontinuities, singularities, etc.
4.5. Superposing
Fish [81] has proposed the concept of superposing a
cracked mesh on a continuous mesh in the s-method. In
the field of X-FEM method, Sang-Ho et al. [82] presented
a combination of the extended finite element method and
the mesh superposition method (s-version FEM). He
modeled the near-tip field by superimposing quarter-point
elements on an overlaid mesh while the rest of the disconti-
nuity was implicitly described by a step function. Xiao and
Karihaloo [83] proposed an implementation of the hybrid
crack element (HCE) on a general finite element mesh and
in combination with the extended finite element method.
The incorporation of the HCE into commercial FE pack-
ages was detailed and validated. Furthermore, it was shown
how to couple the HCE with the extended/generalized finite
element method (X-FEM).
5. X-FEM implantation
The extended finite element method can be implemented
within a finite element code with relatively small modifica-
tions: variable number of degrees of freedom per node; mesh
geometry interaction (a procedure to detect elements inter-
secting with the geometry of the discontinuities); enriched
stiffness matrices; numerical integration. Sukumar and Pré-
vost [84] described the implementation of the X-FEM for
the modeling of crack discontinuities within Dynaflow
[85], a standard finite element package. Huang et al. [86]
focused their attention on the application of the X-FEM
to crack problems in isotropic and bi-material media. Nisto
et al. [87] proposed a numerical implantation in an explicit
code for treating dynamic crack propagation. The explicit
dynamic FEM code DynELA [88] developed in the LGP
in Tarbes using an object-oriented framework was used to
support the implementation of the X-FEM as a new module
called DynaCrack. Bordas et al. [89] proposed an extended
finite element library. The program structure has been
designed to meet all natural requirements for modularity,
extensibility, and robustness. Bordas et al. [90] described
how X-FEM coupled with level set methods could be used
to solve complex three-dimensional industrial fracture
mechanics problems through combination of an object-ori-
ented (C++) research code and a commercial solid model-
ing/finite element package (EDS-PLM/I-DEAS).
Although the literature widely reports the ease of
implantation of such enrichment schemes, practice shows
that they are not easily incorporated into existing finite ele-
ment codes. Noteworthy advances in this direction are pre-
sented in [91]. It is worthwhile to note that X-FEM was
first applied successfully to damage tolerance assessment
of complex industrial structures in [92]. This work was sub-
sequently followed by investigations along similar lines by
 Y. Abdelaziz, A. Hamouine / Computers and Structures 86 (2008) 1141–1151
Wyrat et al. [93–96]. Today, the X-FEM is being used in
industry, and suitable very effective a posteriori error indi-
cation were recently devised by Bordas et al. [97,98].
6. X-FEM: divers applications
The X-FEM method has obtained so promising results
that some authors have immediately foreseen the opportuni-
ties of applying X-FEM to many kinds of problems in which
discontinuities and moving boundaries have to be modeled.
6.1. Holes and material interfaces
Sukumar et al. [99] proposed a methodology to modeled
arbitrary holes and material interfaces without meshing the
internal boundaries. The numerical method couples the
level set method [33] to the extended finite element method
[27]; the level set method was used for representing the loca-
tion of holes and inclusions, and in addition, the level set
was used to develop the local enrichments for material inter-
faces to model inclusions. Sukumar et al. [100] proposed a
partition of unity enrichment technique for bi-material
interface cracks. This work has extended the capabilities
of the extended finite element method to the analysis of
cracks that lie at the interface of two elastically homoge-
neous isotropic materials. Hettich and Ramm [101] studied
the interface material failure modeled by the X-FEM and
LSM. They presented a detailed geometric modeling of
multi-phase materials, as well as at a local mechanical mod-
eling of material interfaces and interfacial failure.
6.2. Contact and friction
Dolbow et al. [102] demonstrated how to enforce non-lin-
ear constitutive laws on arbitrary interfaces. They studied
fracture in 2D crack growth under three different interfacial
constitutive laws on the crack faces: perfect contact and uni-
lateral contact with or without friction. The iterative scheme
implemented in the LATIN method (nonlinear-computa-
tional-structural-mechanics) [103] was applied to resolve
the non-linear boundary value problem. Khoei and Nik-
bakht [104,105] presented an enriched finite element algo-
rithm for numerical computation of contact friction
problems. The aim of the study is to present a model for sim-
ulation of frictional contact problem using the extended
finite element method based on the penalty approach. Vitali
and Benson [106] exposed an extended finite element
method for contact in multi-material arbitrary Lagrang-
ian–Eulerian (MMALE) formulations. They demonstrated
that the results of this technique are better than those
obtained with the mixture theories and agree well with the
Lagrangian solution. Ribeaucourt et al. [107] proposed a
new fatigue frictional contact crack propagation model with
the coupled X-FEM/LATIN method. The aim is to model
2D fatigue cracks submitted to cyclic multi-axial non-pro-
portional loadings inducing complex contact sequences
along the crack faces (opening, contact, sliding and ticking).
1147
6.3. Thin film and shell
Liang et al. [108] utilized the extended finite element
method to evolve complex crack patterns in a brittle thin
film susceptible to subcritical cracking. Huang et al. [109]
applied this technique to compute the steady-state energy
release rate of channeling cracks in thin films. Pedro
et al. [110] exposed a methodology for non-linear analysis
of shells with arbitrary evolving cracks.
6.4. Cohesive cracks
Various crack tip enrichment functions have been sug-
gested; a simple linear ‘‘ramp” function was proposed in
[111] and modified in [112] for triangular elements. Recently,
the representation of discontinuities using X-FEM-kinemat-
ics has been re-formulated within the concept of material
forces [46].
Wells and Sluys [63] used the jump function as an
enrichment function for the whole cohesive crack; hence
the cohesive crack tip touches the element boundary. Moes
and Belytschko [113] used the jump function for the part of
the cohesive crack not adjacent to its tip, and a branch
function adjacent to the tip. Zi and Belytschko [111]
enriched all cracked linear 3-node or quadratic 6-node tri-
angular elements including the elements containing the
crack tip by the sign function. Alfaiate et al. [114] embed-
ded displacement jumps that do not need to be homoge-
neous within each finite element. Mariani and Perego [40]
introduced in a standard finite element model a cubic dis-
placement discontinuity, to reproduce the typical cusp-like
shape of the process zone at the tip of a cohesive crack.
Remmers et al. [115] studied the possibility of defining
cohesive segments that can arise at arbitrary locations
and in arbitrary directions and thus allow for the resolution
of complex crack patterns including crack nucleation at
multiple locations, followed by growth and coalescence.
Xiao et al. [116] exposed an incremental-secant modulus
iteration scheme for the simulation of cracking process in
quasi-brittle materials described by cohesive crack models
whose softening law is composed of linear segments. Mes-
chke and Dusmstor [66] proposed a variational format of
the X-FEM for propagation of cohesionless and cohesive
cracks in brittle and quasi-brittle solids was proposed.
Comi et al. [117] proposed an integrated strategy for the
simulation of damage development and crack propagation
in concrete structures. The strategy combines a non-local
continuum damage approach to an extended finite element
cohesive crack methodology.
6.5. Strong and weak discontinuities
Hansbo and Hansbo [118] presented an interesting
method for modeling arbitrary strong and weak disconti-
nuities, including an a-priori error analysis. The method
offers many interesting possibilities. In [119], a comment
about this work was presented. It showed that the
1148 Y. Abdelaziz, A. Hamouine / Computers and Structures 86 (2008) 1141–1151
kinematic decomposition in their method is equivalent to
the one in the extended finite element method (X-FEM)
by Moes et al. [27] and Belytschko and Black [17].
Legay et al. [120] described a method for constructing
strong and weak arbitrary discontinuities within spectral
finite elements. A key aspect of the implementation of this
method is the treatment of the blending elements adjacent
to the local partition of unity. He found that a partition
constructed from spectral functions one order lower than
the continuous approximation is optimal and no special
treatment is needed for higher order elements. Oliver et al.
[121] presented a comparative study on finite elements for
capturing strong discontinuities by means of elemental (E-
FEM) or nodal enrichments (X-FEM). Based on the same
constitutive model (continuum damage) and linear elements
(triangles and tetrahedra), both enrichments have been
implemented in the same finite element non-linear code.
6.6. Orthotropic media
Asadpoure et al. [122] used an analytical displacement
field around a crack tip in orthotropic media to extract
near-tip enrichment functions. Near-tip asymptotic dis-
placement field was based on the work in [123]. Stress–inten-
sity factors were evaluated via a form domain of interaction
integral proposed by Kim and Paulino [124] for homoge-
neous orthotropic materials. Asadpoure et al. [125] they
developed a new method for a branch of 2D orthotropic
materials. In [126], they a new set of enrichment functions
to simulate orthotropic cracked media.
6.7. Microstructure
Sukumar et al. [127] presented a two-dimensional numer-
ical model of microstructural effects in brittle fracture, with
an aim towards the understanding of toughening mecha-
nisms in polycrystalline materials such as ceramics. Patzák
and Jirásek [128] introduced macrocracks in the zones of
highly localized damage developing in the simulation with
smeared damage and plasticity models. Mariano and Stazi
[129] analyzed the interaction between a macrocrack and a
population of microcracks by adapting the extended finite
element method to a multifield model of microcracked
bodies.
The X-FEM has been utilized to model computational
phenomena in areas such as fluid mechanics, phase trans-
formations, and materials science: Solidification problems
[130–132], multi-phase flow [133], functionally graded
materials FGMs [134,135], powder forming problems
[136,137], and bio-film growth [138].
7. Conclusion
This paper presented a state-of-the-art survey of the
recent advance in extended finite method for modeling
crack growth without re-meshing. This study has demon-
strated the utility and potential of the X-FEM as a compu-
tational fracture tool to study complex failure mechanisms
in materials. The X-FEM is a numerical method to model
internal (or external) boundaries such as holes, inclusions,
or cracks, without requiring the mesh to conform to these
boundaries. It is based on a standard Galerkin procedure,
and uses the concept of partition of unity to accommodate
the internal boundaries in the discrete model.
The advantage of the method is that the element topol-
ogy need not conform to the surfaces of the cracks. With
this methodology, different to the conventional finite ele-
ment method, discretization of the domain with a mesh
adapted to the geometry of the discontinuity is not required.
The standard finite element method is used as the building
block in the X-FEM; hence much of the theoretical and
numerical developments in FEM can be readily extended
and applied. Moreover, X-FEM coupled with LSM makes
possible the accurate solution of engineering problems in
complex domains, which may be practically impossible to
solve using the standard finite element method.
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