1. Reference problem

1.1. Geometry

We consider a parallelepiped of dimensions \(4\mathrm{\times }4\mathrm{\times }2\mathit{mm}\) with a plane crack:

Figure 1.1-1: crack geometry

1.2. Boundary conditions and loads

We will propagate the crack in the figure by imposing the same propagation angle \(\beta\) and the same advance \(\Delta a\) at each point of the bottom in such a way that the bottom always remains straight:

\(\beta ={5}^{\text{o}}\)

\(\Delta a\mathrm{=}0.6\mathit{mm}\)

Figure 1.2-1: imposed propagation