Accuracy of Quarter-point Element in Modeling Crack-tip Fields

Accuracy of the quarter-point and transition elements is investigated on oneand two-dimensional problems with inverse square-root singularity. It is demonstrated that most coefficients of the stiffness matrix of the quarter-point element are unbounded. However, numerical integration produces finite values of these coefficients. Influence of several parameters on the error in determining the stress intensity factor is studied. Solution accuracy can be improved using special distribution of element sizes and increasing the element integration order in the radial direction.