Compliance matrices for cracked bodies

Abstract

An algorithm is developed to construct the compliance matrix for a cracked solid in the integral-equation formulation of two-dimensional linear-elastic fracture mechanics. The integral equation is reduced to a system of algebraic equations for unknown values of the dislocation-density function at discrete points on the interval from -1 to 1, using the numerical procedure described by Gerasoulis (1982). Sample numerical results are presented, and it is suggested that the algorithm is especially useful in cases where iterative solutions are required; e.g., models of fiber-reinforced concrete, rocks, or ceramics where microcracking, fiber bridging, and other nonlinear effects are treated as nonlinear springs along the crack surfaces (Ballarini et al., 1984).