Abstract: | An efficient method, based on the Schwarz–Neumann alternating technique, is presented for computing weight functions of a general solid (3-D as well as 2-D), with embedded or surface-flaw configurations. The total rate of change of the crack-opening displacements, due to simple perturbations of crack-dimension characteristics, is conveniently decomposed into the infinite-domain and boundary-correction parts. The former is determined from available analytical solutions of ideal-shaped cracks, whereas the latter is computed numerically by imposing nil boundary-traction requirements for the displacement field corresponding to the weight functions. Numerical examples, with solutions for 3-D weighted-average and local stress intensity factors, indicate that the proposed method is very accurate and efficient. |