Abstract: A method for crack propagation simulation in which a definition of a three-dimensional structure and of an initial crack are provided, a cut of the structure along a crack propagation is calculated, a new crack front is determined by determining stress values by a finite element calculation and by using a crack propagation function. The propagated crack is then triangulated, and the aforementioned steps are repeated until a predetermined end condition is fulfilled.

Abstract: A method for generating a three-dimensional mesh for a structure to be subjected to three-dimensional structural finite element analysis entails the steps of providing a triangulation of the surface of said structure, providing a master mesh encompassing said structure, processing, by performing at least one of the steps of cutting and remeshing, at least those elements of the master mesh that are intersected by said triangulation such that the elements internal to said structure correspond to elements of said three-dimensional mesh each having a first predetermined topological property, and discarding elements of the master mesh external to said structure. The three-dimensional meshes are generated in a fully or at least partially automated fashion. The generated three-dimensional meshes have good properties for the subsequent finite element calculations.