# Crack propagation simulation using CalculiX as a solver **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [October 13, 2020, 5:11pm UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256 "2020-10-13T17:11:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![loghin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@loghin](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/loghin)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 5:11pm UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/1 "2020-10-13T17:11:49Z")
I do not know how much interest is for simulating crack propagation using CalculiX as a solver. For those interested in the subject, I am able to simulate explicitly fatigue crack growth in 3D geometries. Each model generated in the simulation process is solved with CalculiX. For verification purposes, I solved the same problem with Abaqus and Ansys. All three solutions match. I also compared the prediction (crack path) against experimental data for validation purposes. I attached a picture showing the comparison. ![PictureCalculiX](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/calculix/original/1X/35179d6c8e96cf31934c83a5e537ec659e44fbcc.png) ---
**Author:** ![Uom0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8797f3/32.png) [@Uom0](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/Uom0)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/2 "2020-10-14T15:40:32Z")
Hello there. Interesting. Which criterion are you using to determine the direction of the crack growth? Would be nice to share the paper you are referring to and how this is modelled in Abaqus. Personally, I use the phase-field approach to fracture to model crack propagation problems, since it can handle both branching and merging of cracks in a quite elegant manner. Neither remeshing nor ad-hoc criteria is needed since everything is a result of the strain and fracture energies written in a variational format. The “con”? One needs an extra element to handle the new degree of freedom related to the crack (damage) and there are several variants to implement this “monolithic” or “staggered” (decoupled), other solvers than N-R, etc… I would be happy to implement this in calculix since I have now this as in-house routines, which are proven to work. Since I do this in my “free time” at the moment and I am not super familiar with the calculix code structure, I would be glad if someone else who knows the structure very well would be willing to assist. It would be nice since other tools have XFEM and other methods to model crack popagation. To my knowledge, none of these have phase-field at the moment. Let me know if some interest sparkles @dhondt and the crew!. Cheers, /J. ---
**Author:** ![loghin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@loghin](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/loghin)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/3 "2020-10-14T17:56:57Z")
Hi, I am using the classical maximum tangential stress criteria for direction and Paris relationship to compute remaining useful life. I can use Ansys, Abaqus and Calculix to perform 3D crack propagation simulations. I do have several presentations showing the development along with validation and verification requirements: [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325695699\_LIFE\_PREDICTION\_MODELING\_CAPABILITIES\_FOR\_FE\_APPLICATIONS](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325695699_LIFE_PREDICTION_MODELING_CAPABILITIES_FOR_FE_APPLICATIONS) [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342282698\_VV\_3D\_Fatigue\_Crack\_Growth\_Modeling\_From\_Deterministic\_to\_Uncertainty\_Quantification\_UQ\_assessment](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342282698_VV_3D_Fatigue_Crack_Growth_Modeling_From_Deterministic_to_Uncertainty_Quantification_UQ_assessment) I understand the advantage of the phase-field approach but my goal is to provide modeling capabilities that would allow performing component (3D) level assessments and leveraging all modeling capabilities a finite element package offers. The remeshing technique that I am using employs CAD models, provides a mesh containing a crack (or multiple), maintains CAD-mesh relationship and I can make use of any modeling (pre-processing, solution, post-processing) capabilities that are already available in Ansys, Abaqus or CalculiX. Best, Adrian ---
**Author:** ![Uom0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8797f3/32.png) [@Uom0](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/Uom0)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 12:44pm UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/4 "2020-10-15T12:44:10Z")
Ok, good. I understand. If you have plans to make it public (or if you have done it already), I would be the first interested in looking through your workflow in more detail. Nice work, Adrian! /J. ---
**Author:** ![loghin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@loghin](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/loghin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 1:11pm UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/5 "2020-10-15T13:11:55Z")
Thank you John. If you desire more workflow info, I have a webinar on techbriefs: > **[How to Perform Accurate, Automated 3D Fatigue Crack Growth Predictions](https://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/tb/webcasts/on-demand-webinars/37570)** > > This 30-minute Webinar demonstrates how to use your own CAD models and FEA tools to perform accurate, automated 3D component-level fatigue crack growth predictions. Today, I am holding another webinar: [https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1216929983887832844](https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1216929983887832844) I just hope the two webinars provide some level of detail related to the workflow. If there still are questions, just let me know. Thanks, Adrian ---
**Author:** ![Uom0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8797f3/32.png) [@Uom0](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/Uom0)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 6:53am UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/6 "2020-10-16T06:53:29Z")
Thanks, Adrian. I saw this a bit late, since I’m at European time. But I can see they are on demand. Will look at them later on. Thanks, /J. ---
**Author:** ![ceanwang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4da419/32.png) [@ceanwang](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/ceanwang)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 12:05am UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/7 "2021-03-22T00:05:34Z")
Interesting. When I compile 2.17, I got an error message saying Undefined reference to ‘crackpropagation’ in CalculiXstep.c. I am wondering if it is the code to do this. But I can’t find where it is. Cheers, Cean ---
**Author:** ![loghin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@loghin](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/loghin)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 12:35am UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/8 "2021-03-22T00:35:59Z")
Hi Cean I am using CalculiX to solve each finite element model generated in the crack propagation simulation. The driver is SimModeler. Adrian ---
**Author:** ![ceanwang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4da419/32.png) [@ceanwang](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/ceanwang)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 1:06am UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/9 "2021-03-22T01:06:14Z")
Hi Adrian, Here is the code in CalculiXstep.c . I don’t know if it is the part that solve your model, but it stops me to generate ccx.exe. The detail of this crackpropagation() function is nowhere to be found. Cean else if(\*nmethod==15){ crackpropagation(&ipkon,&kon,&lakon,ne,nk,jobnamec,nboun,iamboun,xboun, nload,sideload,iamload,&nforc,iamforc,xforc,ithermal,t1, iamt1,&co,&nkon,mi,&ielmat,matname,output,&nmat,set, &nset,istartset,iendset,ialset,jmax); } ---
**Author:** ![loghin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@loghin](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/loghin)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 2:15am UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/10 "2021-03-22T02:15:17Z")
Hi Cean, I am not familiar with CalculiX functions. You need to wait until the moderator will get back to you. Adrian ---
**Author:** ![ceanwang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4da419/32.png) [@ceanwang](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/ceanwang)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 2:47am UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/11 "2021-03-22T02:47:40Z")
I commented that line out and got ccx.exe. Tried to solve an example inp file and it works. Does SimModeler generate an inp file and then CalculiX solves it? Which solver your choose? ``` /* nmethod=1: static analysis */ /* nmethod=2: frequency analysis */ /* nmethod=3: buckling analysis */ /* nmethod=4: (linear or nonlinear) dynamic analysis */ /* nmethod=5: steady state dynamics analysis */ /* nmethod=6: Coriolis frequency calculation */ /* nmethod=7: flutter frequency calculation */ /* nmethod=8: magnetostatics */ /* nmethod=9: magnetodynamics */ /* nmethod=10: electromagnetic eigenvalue problems */ /* nmethod=11: superelement creation */ /* nmethod=12: sensitivity analysis */ /* nmethod=13: Green function calculation */ /* nmethod=14: Robustness w.r.t. to geometric tolerances */ ``` nmethod=15 is not listed on it. ---
**Author:** ![loghin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@loghin](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/loghin)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 1:06pm UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/12 "2021-03-22T13:06:04Z")
Hi Cean Yes, SimModeler writes inp files for CalculiX. Each model is solved in batch mode. The default solver is static. Once you have the CalculiX inp files you can edit them and assign a different solver if you wish. I never did it in CalculiX though. I am an Ansys user and in Ansys it is easy to modify the analysis type. Adrian ---
**Author:** ![ceanwang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4da419/32.png) [@ceanwang](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/ceanwang)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 9:20pm UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/13 "2021-03-22T21:20:29Z")
It’s easy for me to use a text editor to change the key word. After feeding your inp into CalculiX, CalculiX does one step static calculation, then feed the result back to SimModeler. SimModeler does the propagation, and let CalculiX do calculation again. Is this what you mean using CalculiX as a solver? I have seen only one crack simulation, it is from Nastran-95. [NASTRAN-95/d06011a.txt at master · nasa/NASTRAN-95 (github.com)](https://github.com/nasa/NASTRAN-95/blob/master/inp/d06011a.txt) The crack is in the middle. I don’t know if it also could treat crack at an edge. Also if the Piecewise Linear Analysis still used today? [Combine Mesh and Result with FreeCAD’s Link actions : fea (reddit.com)](https://www.reddit.com/r/fea/comments/ja2x2c/combine_mesh_and_result_with_freecads_link_actions/) ---
**Author:** ![loghin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@loghin](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/loghin)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/14 "2021-03-22T22:20:29Z")
Hi Cean, Yes, your statement is correct “After feeding your inp into CalculiX, CalculiX does one step static calculation, then feed the result back to SimModeler. SimModeler does the propagation, and let CalculiX do calculation again”. For more info, just access the webinars that I posted in this thread. Adrian ---
**Author:** ![ceanwang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4da419/32.png) [@ceanwang](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/ceanwang)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 10:28pm UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/crack-propagation-simulation-using-calculix-as-a-solver/256/15 "2021-03-22T22:28:22Z")
I think CalculiX will do the propagation with this crackpropagation() function.