Finite element methods for elastic bodies containing cracks

One of the most powerful methods of numerical stress analysis presently available is the finite element method [1, 2]. In the past decade, the developments and refinements in this field of analysis have been very impressive. By means of the finite element method approximate solutions can be calculated for a wide range of structures of complex geometry and loading conditions and rather general material properties. The method has been applied to three dimensional bodies, plane bodies, axi-symmetric bodies, plates, shells, etc. Linear and non-linear materials, time independent and time dependent materials, and non-homogeneous and anisotropic bodies can be analyzed with almost equal ease.