An efficient numerical algorithm for cracks partly in frictionless contact

An algorithm for a loaded crack partly in frictionless contact is presented . The problem is nonlinear in the sense that the equations of linear elasti city are supplemented by certain contact inequalities. The location of a pr iori unknown contact zones and the solutions to the field equations must be determined simultaneously. The algorithm is based on a rapidly converging sequence of relaxed Fredholm integral equations of the second kind in which the contact problem is viewed asa perturbation of a noncontacting crack pr oblem. The algorithm exhibits great stability and speed. The numerical resu lts are orders-of-magnitudes more accurate than those of previous investiga tors.