An adaptive cohesive interface model for fracture propagation analysis in heterogeneous media

• Finite element model for arbitrary crack propagation without remeshing procedures. • Moving mesh strategy effectively reduces mesh dependency during crack growth. • Cohesive zone approach to capture nonlinear fracture behavior. • Suitable for heterogeneous media with inclusions and interfacial zones. • Numerical results validated under various fracture conditions. This study introduces a novel numerical framework that integrates the moving mesh technique with an adaptive cohesive zone model to simulate crack initiation and propagation in quasi-brittle materials with heterogeneous microstructures. Unlike traditional cohesive approaches that rely on predefined crack paths or require frequent re-meshing, the proposed method employs an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) formulation to dynamically align the crack path with the propagation direction determined by a local stress criterion. Cohesive interface elements are inserted adaptively along mesh boundaries using a tailored traction–separation law, while accounting for the presence of material discontinuities. This approach eliminates the need for re-meshing, significantly reduces computational costs, and mitigates mesh dependency issues. The model demonstrates strong predictive capability in capturing complex fracture patterns along a-priori unknown paths, thereby advancing current numerical strategies for fracture analysis in heterogeneous media.