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using XFEM in studying crack propagation

Submitted by Sarah A. Eassa on

deer all

i am having a difficulty in modeling a crack growth using the XFEM. what is the difference between specifying the crack path and when u don`t specify it? 

when i specify the crack path the surface separation begins even if i applied small loads value. But when i don`t specify the crack path it never separates.

Does anyone has an answer for me? thanks.