SGBEM analysis of crack–particle(s) interactions due to elastic constants mismatch

The effects of elastic constants mismatch on the interaction between a propagating crack and single or multiple inclusions in brittle matrix materials are investigated using numerical simulations. The simulations employ a quasi-static crack-growth prediction tool based upon the symmetric-Galerkin boundary element method (SGBEM) for multiregions, a modified quarter-point crack-tip element, the displacement correlation technique for evaluating stress intensity factors (SIFs), and the maximum principal stress criterion for crack-growth direction. It is shown that, even with this simple method for calculating SIF, the crack-growth prediction tool is both highly accurate and computationally effective. This is evidenced by results for the case of a single inclusion in an infinite plate, where the SGBEM results for the SIFs show excellent agreement with known analytical solutions. The simulation results for crack growth and stress intensity behaviors in particulate media are very stable. The crack-tip shielding and amplification behaviors, as seen in similar studies using other numerical approaches, can be clearly observed. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.