Non-linear surface crack analysis by three dimensional boundary element with mixed boundary conditions

In this paper, an effective three dimensional boundary element method with mixed boundary conditions is prescribed for nonlinear surface crack analyse s. The line spring model originally proposed by Rice and Levy is used to fo rm the non-linear mixed boundary conditions of the 3D crack problem in a co ntinuum manner, which is then combined with the three dimensional boundary element method to compute the fracture parameter J integral of non-linear s urface crack. A predictor-corrector method is presented for the nonlinear c ompliance matrix of the mixed boundary so that a more accurate result can b e reached. Two numerical examples are discussed to show the effectiveness o f the method. Especially, the surface crack problem is addressed in which t he non-linear region only happens at the mixed boundary condition area, and most of the remaining area is still elastic. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd . All Fights reserved.