Abstract: A novel polygonal finite element method (PFEM) based on partition of unity is proposed, termed the virtual node method (VNM). To test the performance of the present method, numerical examples are given for solid mechanics problems. With a polynomial form, the VNM achieves better results than those of traditional PFEMs, including the Wachspress method and the mean value method in standard patch tests. Compared with the standard triangular FEM, the VNM can achieve better accuracy. With the ability to construct shape functions on polygonal elements, the VNM provides greater flexibility in mesh generation. Therefore, several fracture problems are studied to demonstrate the potential implementation. With the advantage of the VNM, the convenient refinement and remeshing strategy are applied.

Key words: virtual node method, polygonal finite element method, partition of unity, crack propagation