A fast iterative boundary element method for solving closed crack problems

This paper describes an iterative hybrid boundary element method for solving non-linear closed crack problems. The original crack problem is split into two separate sub-problems: (1) the exterior body (without crack) which is modeled using displacement discontinuity boundary elements, and (2) the crack in an infinite domain which is modeled using either a dislocation density or displacement discontinuity approach. Iteration is performed between the exterior body and the crack faces until all boundary conditions are satisfied. Several advantages of this method over previous methods are discussed and are demonstrated in example problems.