Numerical simulations of quasibrittle fracture processes using the discrete cohesive crack model

The analysis of quasibrittle fracture processes, described via Hillerborg's classical discrete cohesive model, is carried out within a direct (colloca tion) boundary element framework. Both holonomic (path-independent) and non holonomic (path-dependent) simulations are considered for a general class o f nonlinear softening laws. In particular, a simple numerical scheme, albei t one which requires some a priori knowledge of possible fracture activatio ns, is proposed for the analyses. The potentialities of the method are illu strated through two examples concerning the well-known three-point bending and two-notch tensile problems. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.