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The finite element method is employed in the prediction of the dynamic transient response of two‐ and three‐dimensional solids exhibiting geometric (large deformations) and material (elasto‐plastic) non‐linearities. Explicit time marching schemes are adopted for integration of the dynamic equilibrium equation and a diagonal ‘lumped’ mass matrix is employed with a special procedure applicable to parabolic isoparametric elements. A variety of problems are presented including a solid/fluid interaction situation, and the method is shown to be able to solve economically many problems of dynamic or catastrophic nature which can occur in such structures as nuclear reactors, containment vessels, etc.

Recent developments in numerical techniques for dynamic transient stress analysis have ensured that realistic models can now be employed in crack propagation studies. In this paper transient dynamic finite element solutions are undertaken for both double cantilever beam (DCB) and pipeline problems with propagation of the crack being permitted. Standard parabolic isoparametric elements are employed for spatial discretization with an explicit (central difference) scheme being employed for time integration. Both critical stress and energy balance crack propagation criteria are considered.The pressurised pipeline problem is solved for as a fully three-dimensional solid. Firstly, a stationary crack is considered and both large deformations and plasticity effects are accounted for. The transient case of a dynamically propagating crack is then modelled, employing both a stress and energy criterion. Elastic large deformation behaviour is permitted for this case.