On the Improvement of the Boundary Element Analysis for the Crack Problems

The boundary element method has attracted special interest as a powerful method to analyze the crack problems. However, there still remain some problems to be improved for the accuracy and efficiency. In this study, it is attempted that some simple and accurate methods for determining the stress intensity factors are developed and introduced into the BEM analysis. In the three dimensional BEM analysis, Mindlin’s solution has been used as a fundamental solution for a point load acting within a semi- infinite medium instead of the ordinary Kelvin’s solution. It is expected that the accuracy of solution is improved and that the cost for computation is reduced because there is no necessity for dividing into elements on the surface where boundary conditions are satisfied by the fundamental solution.