A discontinuous Galerkin method for strain gradient-dependent damage: Study of interpolations, convergence and two dimensional problems

Abstract

A discontinuous Galerkin method has been developed for strain gradient-dependent damage. The strength of this method lies in the fact that it allows the use of $C^0$ interpolation functions for continuum theories involving higher-order derivatives, while in a conventional framework at least $C^1$ interpolations are required. The discontinuous Galerkin formulation thereby offers significant potential for engineering computations with strain gradient-dependent models. When using basis functions with a low degree of continuity, jump conditions arise at element edges which are incorporated in the weak form. In addition to the formulation itself, a detailed study of the convergence properties of the method for various element types is presented, an error analysis is undertaken, and the method is also shown to work in two dimensions.