8. Summary of results

The values of the vectors from the local base to the nodes of the crack bottom are correctly evaluated even when the bottom is curved.

However, it is noted that the results are less accurate when studying a structure with symmetry. In fact, without symmetry, the final vectors of the base are calculated by averaging between the vectors of the lower lip and those of the upper lip. With symmetry, the vectors are those of the only modelled lip.

At a bottom node, VDIR belongs to the plane of the lip and VNOR is calculated by taking the vector product between VDIR and the vector carried by the segment of the crack bottom to which this node belongs.

Thus, the values of this base depend strongly on the angle of the crack and are all the more accurate the smaller the angle. To avoid having a false base, it is therefore not calculated when the crack is in a detached configuration (CONFIG_INIT =” DECOLLEE “).