INTRODUCTION

In this project, a two-dimensional finite element method is applied to analyze the evolution of a micro-crack in the presence of an external stress field. This process is controlled by surface diffusion. Although the finite element code is not dependent on any particular initial shape of the micro crack and can analyze any arbitrary shape of the micro-crack, a few cross sections of the micro-crack are assumed, namely, circular, ellipsoid and a dumbbell shape for the analysis and simulation. The stress field is applied assuming that the micro-crack is present in an infinite plate and a force is applied to the plate.

Following software/platforms are used for the simulations: