Description: Abaqus/CAE creates a view cut when you open a model containing a crack calculated by the extended finite element method (XFEM). The view cut displays the isosurface where the value of the signed distance function is zero, which corresponds with the surface of the XFEM crack. Therefore, when you display a deformed or contour plot, the cracked elements in the enriched region are visible, as shown in Figure 14–3.

You can perform a time history animation of a contour plot and view the onset of damage calculated by XFEM. The animation also allows you to view the propagation of the damage through the enriched region as the analysis progresses. Turning on translucency allows you to see the progression of the crack through interior elements. If you want to investigate the crack in more detail, you can create a contour plot of the signed distance function (PHILSM) and determine in which elements the signed distance values are negative or positive. The crack surface is situated in the elements where the value of PHILSM transitions from a negative number to a positive number.

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