A remark on the numerical solution of singular integral equations and the determination of stress-intensity factors

Summary As is well-known, an efficient numerical technique for the solution of Cauchy-type singular integral equations along an open interval consists in approximating the integrals by using appropriate numerical integration rules and appropriately selected collocation points. Without any alterations in this technique, it is proposed that the estimation of the unknown function of the integral equation is further achieved by using the Hermite interpolation formula instead of the Lagrange interpolation formula. Alternatively, the unknown function can be estimated from the error term of the numerical integration rule used for Cauchy-type integrals. Both these techniques permit a significant increase in the accuracy of the numerical results obtained with an insignificant increase in the additional computations required and no change in the system of linear equations solved. Finally, the Gauss-Chebyshev method is considered in its original and modified form and applied to two crack problems in plane isotropic elasticity. The numerical results obtained illustrate the powerfulness of the method.