An integral equation approach to fracture propagation in rocks

A scemingly novel integral equation approach is presented for the analysis of propagating fractures in plane regions. The crack is modelled bv a continuous distribution of Edge Dislocations. Arbitrary distributions of both free field stresses and internal tractions on the crack surfaces are accounted for and the governing equations arc derived a'suming homogeneous, isotropic, elastic-brittle material bchwiour. A fundamental feature of this approach is that only geometrical information describing the shape and the size of the fracture is necessary. This allows one to easily generate the additional geometrical data for the propagated portions of the crack with negligible effort. A simple technique for numerical solution is outlined, and the results obtained by analyzing a series of non-growing and propagating fractures are discussed.