On crack branching and curving in a finite body

The problem of a slightly non-collinear, quasi-static crack growth in a finite brittle solid is examined. A solution method which accounts for the finite geometry and the applied boundary conditions is presented. The approach uses the results of the first order perturbation solution for non-collinear crack extension from the tip of a semi-infinite straight crack, in an alternating solution scheme which takes into account the effect of the finite geometry and the boundary conditions in an iterative manner. For illustration, a slightly slanted Griffith crack under biaxial loading is examined.