BEM implementation of the energy domain integral for the elastoplastic analysis of 3D fracture problems

An Elastoplastic Dual Boundary Element Method (EPDBEM) for the evaluation o f the J-integral in three-dimensional fracture problems is presented in thi s paper. The point-wise J-integral is evaluated along crack fronts using th e Energy Domain Integral (EDI) methodology. The domain expression of the ED I is naturally compatible with the EPDBEM, allowing to embed the computatio n of the J-integral within the boundary element formulation in such a way t hat it only accounts for a small additional computational effort. The accur acy of the proposed formulation is demonstrated by solving problems with st raight and curved crack fronts.