Numerical simulation of crack growth in piezoelectric structures by BEM

In this paper, a dual boundary element computer program is developed for numerical simulation of a crack propagating in piezoelectric plates under a combined quasi-static electric and mechanical loading. To determine the crack growth path, two fracture criteria are taken into account: the maximum of hoop stress intensity factor (HSIF) and hoop mechanical strain energy release rate (HMERR). By using the displacement extrapolation method, these...