You can use the extended finite element method (XFEM) to study the initiation and propagation of a crack along an arbitrary, solution-dependent path without needing to remesh your model. XFEM is available for three-dimensional solid and two-dimensional planar models; three-dimensional shell models are not supported. The following topics are covered:

• “An overview of the extended finite element method (XFEM),” Section 31.3.1

• “Choosing the type of XFEM analysis,” Section 31.3.2

• “Viewing an XFEM crack,” Section 31.3.3

• “Creating an XFEM crack,” Section 31.3.4

• “Deactivating and activating an XFEM crack growth,” Section 31.3.5

• “Specifying a contact interaction property for XFEM,” Section 31.3.6

• “Requesting contour integral output for XFEM,” Section 31.3.7