Recent advances in Peridynamics applied to structural problems

Peridynamics (PD) is a recently proposed continuum theory, specifically designed to include the possibility of describing displacement fields affected by discontinuities. This paper summarizes three contributions to computational PD made by the authors and their collaborators. The coupling of PD computational methods with FEM to obtain an efficient and reliable method capable of simulating crack propagation in realistic structures. The application of PD computational methods to Multiphysics problems, in these models PD models the solid part subjected to crack propagation and other computa-tional approaches are used for the other fields. Finally, the most recent contribution to the simulation of large strain deformation of soft tissues is presented.