1. Reference problem#

1.1. Geometry#

We consider a parallelepiped of size \(30\mathrm{\times }30\mathrm{\times }10\mathit{mm}\) which has three holes and a crack on one of its sides (figure).

_images/100000000000040A000002F79AF1B444991D5FBE.png

Figure 1.1-a : geometry of the structure under consideration

1.2. Material properties#

No material is defined because we cannot solve the finite element model in a step.

1.3. Boundary conditions and loads#

No boundary conditions are defined because we do not solve the finite element model: we will calculate two propagations in mode I of the existing crack with imposed and constant displacement along the bottom. The crack remains flat during propagation.

At each propagation step, an advance equal to \(\Delta a\mathrm{=}12\mathit{mm}\) is imposed. The bottom of the crack spreads while always staying straight.

1.4. Initial conditions#

The initial crack is a half-plane. Its length is equal to \({a}_{0}\mathrm{=}4\mathit{mm}\). The bottom of the crack is straight.