A general model for simulating the effect of the intercommunication between various elements of a structure on the extension of a crack

The characteristics of the intercommunication between the various elements of a structure have a major effect on the structure's resistance to failure by the extension of a crack. Two extremes are: (a) where the intercommunication is very strong when the structure is particularly vulnerable to crack extension, and (b) where the elements are almost totally isolated when the structure is highly resistant to crack extension. This paper presents a very simple and general model that quantifies the effect of the intercommunication on a structure's crack extension resistance, and unifies the various types of intercommunication within a single model analysis.