A computationally efficient Element Edge point numerical integration scheme in the meshless method framework for solving fracture problems

The fracture problem is modeled using the Radial Point Interpolation Meshless Method (RPIM) to solve for displacements. Further, the stresses and Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) are calculated using obtained displacements. An effective numerical integral quadrature called the Element Edge point(EE) scheme is used as an alternative to conventional Gauss Quadrature to improve computational efficiency. A comparative study based on two numerical integration schemes, the Element Edge point scheme and Gauss Quadrature, is conducted on four benchmark problems of thick, cracked plates owing to plane strain conditions. The study reveals that the proposed Element Edge point (EE) scheme is computationally efficient and works well in the meshless method framework.