Automated numerical simulation of the propagation of multiple cracks in a finite plane using the distributed dislocation method

In this paper, an automated numerical simulation of the propagation of multiple cracks in a finite elastic plane by the distributed dislocation method is developed. Firstly, a solution to the problem of a two-dimensional finite elastic plane containing multiple straight cracks and kinked cracks is presented. A serial of distributed dislocations in an infinite plane are used to model all the cracks and the boundary of the finite plane. The mixed-mode stress intensity factors of all the cracks can be calculated by solving a system of singular integral equations with the Gauss–Chebyshev quadrature method. Based on the solution, the propagation of multiple cracks is modeled according to the maximum circumferential stress criterion and Paris' law. Several numerical examples are presented to show the accuracy and efficiency of this method for the simulation of multiple cracks in a 2D finite plane.