Development of Tied Overlapping Shell Technique to Simulate the Path of Crack Propagation in Polymer Parts

This paper describes a new finite element modeling technique to simulate the path of crack propagation in polymer parts. In this new technique "tied overlapping shell technique", base and overlapping elements make up the finite element model surface. The overlapping elements are rotated 45 degrees with respect to the base elements and are connected by tied contact. Tied overlapping shell technique decreased mesh pattern dependency of FE crack propagation. Tied overlapping shell technique was applied to a polymer door trim model, and impactor crash FE analysis was performed. The result of the FE crack propagation path with the new technique correlated with the experimental result.