The extended finite element method. XFEM allows the presence of discontinuities in an element by enriching degrees of freedom with special displacement functions. XFEM does not require the mesh to match the geometry of the discontinuities. As a result, XFEM is a very attractive and effective way to simulate initiation and propagation of a discrete crack along an arbitrary, solution-dependent path without the requirement of remeshing in the bulk materials.

• “Modeling discontinuities as an enriched feature using the extended finite element method,” Section 10.7.1 of the Abaqus Analysis User's Manual

A two-dimensional array that Abaqus/CAE stores in two columns: an X-column and a Y-column. You can use the Visualization module to display X–Y data in the form of an X–Y plot.

• “What is an X–Y data object, and what is an X–Y plot?,” Section 47.1.1 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Manual

A two-axis graph of one variable versus another. Abaqus/CAE can display X–Y data objects in the form of an X–Y plot.

• Chapter 47, “X–Y plotting,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's Manual

A tabular listing of X and Y data values. Abaqus/CAE can generate an X–Y report from the data contained in X–Y objects.

• Chapter 54, “Generating tabular data reports,” of the Abaqus/CAE User's Manual