Oleaga Apadula, Gerardo Enrique2023-06-202023-06-2020040374-353510.1007/s10659-005-0297-2https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/49650A method for finding the path of a quasi-static crack growing in a brittle body is presented. The propagation process is modelled by a sequence of discrete steps optimizing the elastic energy released. An explicit relationship between the optimal growing direction and the parameters defining the local elastic field around the tip is obtained for an anti-plane field. This allows to describe a simple algorithm to compute the crack path.engjournal articlehttp://www.springerlink.com/content/0374-3535/open access539.2Crack propagationDiscrete modelSingular fieldsLinear elasticityFísica de materiales