MIXED-MODE CRACK PROPAGATION USING THE EXTENDED FINITE ELEMENT METHOD (XFEM) IN A CASSAVA STARCH-BASED COMPOSITE REINFORCED WITH COCONUT FIBERS

In our previous work, we studied the damage of a composite based on cassava starch reinforced by coconut fibers. This study showed its limits with the presence of macro-cracks and their propagation. The objective of this article is to analyze the propagation of cracks using fracture mechanics. To do this, we will use the Extended Finite Element method (XFEM) to determine the resistant behavior of the film by calculating the stress intensity factor (FIC). Two approaches were used: simulation by XFEM and analytical XFEM. A parametric analysis was carried out to elucidate the influences of crack size and position and the intensity of the applied load. Finally, the comparison of the results from the two approaches confirms the precision and effectiveness of the XFEM in describing the behavior of the composite object of our study.