A ϑ method-based numerical simulation of crack growth in linear elastic fracture

This paper presents a method for the automatic simulation of quasi-static crack growth in 2D linear elastic bodies with existing cracks. A finite element algorithm, based on the so-called ϑ method, provides the load vs. crack extension curves in the case of rectilinear crack propagation. Since the approach is both theoretically general and simple to be performed from a computational point of view, it could be extended for describing the phenomenon of crack growth in different fracture mechanics contexts.