Boundary Element Method for the Computation of Dynamic Fields Near Cracks

A boundary integral equation formulation is presented to calculate dynamic fields generated by wave loading on configurations consisting of a macrocrack and a neighboring crack or cavity. The formulation is two-dimensional, and for a state of plane strain. The method overcomes the difficulties that are encountered with higher order singularities in applications of the boundary element method to crack problems. Results are presented for the dynamic stress intensity factors.