A review of SIF evaluation and modelling of singularities in BEM

Various boundary element method (BEM) based approaches to solve crack problems are discussed. The displacement method, J-integral method and the modified crack closure integral (MCCI) method for the evaluation of the stress intensity factors (SIFs) are reviewed. Effects of partial and total modelling of singularities on the accuracy of the results have been presented. Elements capable of partial and total modelling of the wellknown square root singularities, variable order singularities, neighbouring variable order singularities, etc., are also reviewed. Case studies are included to illustrate the effectiveness of the various methods of calculation of the SIFs and the performance of the special elements