Abstract
A general method for the solution of plane isotropic elasticity crack problems inside a finite medium of arbitrary shape or an infinite medium with holes of arbitrary shape is presented. This method is based on the complex potential approach of plane elasticity problems due to Kolosov and Muskhelishvili [1] and makes no assumption on the way of loading of the cracks and of the other boundaries of the medium.The whole problem is reduced to a complex singular integral equation along the cracks and the other boundaries and the values of the stress intensity factors at the crack tips may be evaluated directly and accurately from the numerical solution of this equation. An application of the method to a circular medium with a straight crack is also made.