An iterative algorithm for modeling crack closure and sliding

In this paper, a simple and efficient iterative algorithm is adopted to model crack closure and sliding with the displacement discontinuity method (DDM). The problem of a subsurface crack in a half-plane under indentation loading considered by Elvin and Leung (Elvin N, Leung C. A fast iterative boundary element method for solving closed crack problems. Engng Fract Mech 1999;63:631–48) and DeBremaecker and Ferris (DeBremaecker J-Cl, Ferris MC. A comparison of two algorithm for solving closed crack problems. Engng Fract Mech 2000;66:601–05) is reexamined using the iterative DDM. The cases of a partially closed crack with both frictionless and frictional contacts are considered. Benchmark results for the stress intensity factors and the interfacial crack mechanisms for a subsurface crack are presented and compared with the results obtained from the fast iterative algorithm of Elvin and Leung and those from the PATH algorithm of DeBremaecker and Ferris.