On the use of the finite element method for the solution of a cracked strip under thermal shock

The finite element method is used to solve the problem of a strip containing a crack and subjected to a thermal shock on one edge. The solution of the edge crack problem is compared to the exact solution and it is shown that the FEM yields results with less than 1% error. The dependence of the accuracy of the solution on the time increment is examined. The problem of a strip containing an internal crack is then solved using the FEM. The effects of the Biot number, the length of the crack and the distance of the crack to the edge of the strip, on the transient stress intensity factors are analyzed.