Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 January 2016
This paper examines the performance of enriching the shape functions of interface finite elements in the prediction of mixed-mode delamination. Enriching second-order interface and solid elements with the analytical solution of a beam on elastic foundation problem yields the correct displacement field ahead of the crack tip. Despite the enrichment being fixed at elements nodes, resulting in non-traceability of the crack tip location, the strategy is shown to perform consistently well, increasing the minimum element size from the typical 0·5mm to 5mm, for a range of classical mixed-mode bending (MMB) specimens.