On the solution of three-dimensional thermoelastic mixed-mode edge crack problems by the dual boundary element method

This paper describes the formulation and numerical implementation of the three-dimensional dual boundary element method (DBEM) for the thermoelastic analysis of mixed-mode crack problems. The DBEM incorporates two pairs of independent boundary integral equations: namely, the temperature and displacement, and the flux and traction equations. In this technique, one pair is applied on one of the crack faces and the other on the opposite one. On non-crack boundaries, the temperature and displacement equations are applied. Special shape functions are implemented to model the root r behaviour of crack tip fields. Stress intensity factors were calculated with the crack opening displacement formulae and by using standard and special elements at the crack front. To demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method, several examples were solved and the results compared, where possible, with existing solutions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.