BEM applied to damage models emphasizing localization and associated regularization techniques

In this work, the implicit BEM formulation, initially developed in the context of a plasticity analysis is extended to incorporate damage mechanics models. The algebraic equations adopted for the formulation are obtained either using displacement or traction equations, for the boundary nodes, and strain equations for the internal nodes. The formulation is modified to incorporate a regularization technique based on a non-local integral formulation. The consistent tangent operator has been obtained for local and non-local formulations. Arc-length strategy developed for BEM formulations is adopted to analyse problems exhibiting the snap-back effects. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.