A High‐Performance User‐Defined XFEM‐Based Cohesive Zone Modeling Method for Mixed‐Mode Fracture Problems

ABSTRACT To improve the applicability of the extended finite element method (XFEM)–based cohesive zone model (CZM) for mixed‐mode fracture problems, this study proposes a user‐defined subroutine developed within the commercial finite element (FE) software Abaqus/Standard. A potential‐based constitutive model with an explicit formulation is employed to improve convergence and describe nonlinear cohesive interactions. A high‐performance parallelized computational module is implemented to enhance efficiency. Benchmark examples of pure mode I and mode II are included to verify the subroutine, while mixed‐mode beam (MMB), L‐shaped panel, and tension‐shear specimens demonstrate its accuracy and computational performance in mixed‐mode crack problems. Influencing factors, including element quality and load increment, on the accuracy of the numerical solution are analyzed. With appropriate modifications, the proposed formulation can be extended to other coupled cohesive models and FE platforms, offering broad applicability for a wide range of advanced fracture modeling scenarios.