Survey on XFEM: is XFEM good at characterizing Failure rather than Fracture?

Would like to hear your expertise/user/non-expert/sceptic comments on XFEM. Here are some of the challenges. Would like to hear your relections.

1. Can XFEM be utilized in characterizing Failure rather than Fracture?

2. What sort of challenges XFEM still have with respect to Fracture Mechanics?

3. How the Fracture mechanics benefit the industry, from the perspective of strcutural integrity?

4. Failue investigations vs. Fracture investigations: benefit to industry?

5. Academist vs Engineer: Perspective on XFEM

If possible, please vindicate your justifications with any relevant literature. Would like to see where and how XFEM is evolving.