A Comparative Review of XFEM, Mixed FEM and Phase-Field Models for Quasi-brittle Cracking

In this work, a critical comparison between three different numerical approaches for the computational modelling of quasi-brittle structural failure is presented. Among the many finite element approaches devised to solve the problem, both using continuous and discontinuous methods, the present study examines the relative performance of the XFEM, the mixed strain/displacement FE and phase-field models. These numerical techniques are selected as...