Analysis of crack closure problem using the dual boundary element method

A numerical procedure of the crack closure problem solved by the dual boundary element method is developed in this paper. The dual boundary element method is used to allow for the solution to a general mixed-mode crack problem with a single regional formulation. The frictional contact problem on the crack surface is formulated with the complementary problem adapting the Coulomb's friction law. Several examples are shown to demonstrate the validity of the present procedure.