Dynamic fracture mechanics studies by time-domain BEM

Transient dynamic fracture mechanics problems are studied using an advanced two-dimensional formulation of the time-domain boundary element method. This formulation employs a set of well-behaved kernel functions, which have been used recently for the solution of general problems of transient elastodynamics. These kernels produce very stable results with respect to both time step and element size variations and consequently, are ideally suited for fracture mechanics studies. In the present implementation, both ordinary quarter-point and traction-singular quarter-point elements are developed. The dynamic stress intensity factors (DSIF) are then obtained from the crack opening displacements (COD) as well as from the crack-tip nodal tractions of the traction-singular elements. A number of example problems are investigated in detail. Included are convergence studies, comparisons with previously published results, and an evaluation of the various methods available for computing DSIF.