Numerical methods in fracture mechanic

After a short introduction sketching the continuum mechanics description, the basic equations of Fracture Mechanics will be evaluated with particular emphasis on the numerical treatment. Among the numerical methods the Finite Element Method (FEM) will be discussed in more detail, including special crack tip elements, energy release rates and path-independent integrals. The problem of short cracks will be touched as well as the damage function approach. A series of actual cases will be presented to demonstrate the applicability and validity of the methods introduced. (IWM)