Dual boundary element analysis for time-dependent fracture problems in creeping materials

This paper presents the development of a new boundary element formulation for analysis of fracture problems in creeping materials. For the creep crack analysis the Dual Boundary Element Method (DBEM), which contains two independent integral equations, was formulated. The implementation of creep strain in the formulation is achieved through domain integrals in both boundary integral equations. The domain, where the creep phenomena takes place, is discretized into quadratic quadrilateral continuous and discontinuous cells. The creep analysis is applied to metals with secondary creep behaviour. This is confined to standard power law creep equations. Constant applied loads are used to demonstrate time effects. Numerical results are compared wdth solutions obtained from the Finite Element Method (FEM) and others reported in the literature.