Abstract: Boundary element method (BEM) is used to study propagation of crack under loading. First, all leading unknown coefficients in Williams series expansion and complete stress field for notched structures are calculated with BEM and former eigenanalysis for notch tip region. Then, with consideration of non-singular stress term and maximum circumferential stress criterion of brittle fracture, crack initiation extended direction from crack tip in a semicircular bending specimen is determined by BEM. Strategy for BEM tracking crack propagation is given. Numerical examples show that the method is correct and effective in simulating propagation of plane crack.

Key words: V-notch, brittle fracture, boundary element method, crack propagation path