Finite deformation analysis of crack growth in elastic body

A model of crack growth in elastic material is developed. It is assumed that crack initiation leads to nucleation of micropores near a crack tip. These micropores are coalesced with one another and with the crack that results in crack growth. Crack is modelled by strongly elongated elliptic cavity. It is supposed that opening of new micropore takes place at the point where a strength criterion exceeds maximum. Analyses are carried out for two-dimensional case with allowance for finiteness of strains using Signorini's expansion and Muskhelishvili's technique.