Numerical solution of singular integral equation for multiple curved branch-cracks

In this paper, numerical solution of the singular integral equation for the multiple curved branch-cracks is investigated. If some quadrature rule is used, one difficult point in the problem is to balance the number of unknowns and equations in the solution. This difficult point was overcome by taking the following steps: (a) to place a point dislocation at the intersecting point of branches, (b) to use the curve length method to covert the integral on the curve to an integral on the real axis, (c) to use the semi-open quadrature rule in the integration. After taking these steps, the number of the unknowns is equal to the number of the resulting algebraic equations. This is a particular advantage of the suggested method. In addition, accurate results for the stress intensity factors (SIFs) at crack tips have been found in a numerical example. Finally, several numerical examples are given to illustrate the efficiency of the method presented.