Abstract
A computational strategy to predict the propagation of a crack in a three-dimensional body is discussed. Proposed methodology is consisting of i) automatic mesh generation software, ii) finite element analysis module, iii) program to evaluate the mixed-mode stress intensity factors and iv) module to predict the direction and rate (amount) of crack propagation. In this approach, virtual crack closure-integral method (VCCM) for quadratic tetrahedral finite element to compute the stress intensity factors takes the central role. Finally, an illustrative example problem is presented.
