The mapped elements for the solution of cracked bodies (Q798073)

Using a conformal mapping the singular stress field around crack tips is transformed to a regular one with respect to the new variables. Thus the displacement field is approximated in the mapped plane. The inverse mapping gives shape functions which are not polynomials. The strain field, obtained after a derivation of the displacement field, has the appropriate square root singularity. The elements constructed by using this procedure are called 'mapped elements'. This simple method was applied with excellent results to the solution of a series of problems.