2D- and 3D-Applications of the Improved and Generalized Modified Crack Closure Integral Method

The numerically highly effective procedure of the modified crack closure integral method can further be improved by extending the method to be applicable in conjunction with higher order finite element discretisations of plane crack problems. Furthermore the method is generalized for covering non-plane crack problems of axial symmetry and problems involving locally defined energy release rates variing along a curved crack front.