Abstract: Using the method of the boundary integral equation, a set of singular integral equations of the heat transfer problems and the thermo-elastic problems of a crack embedded in a two-dimensional finite body is derived, and then its numerical method is proposed by the numerical method of the singular integral equations combined with boundary element method. Moreover, the singular nature of temperature gradient field near the crack front is proved by the main-part analysis method of the singular integral equation, and the singular temperature gradients are exactly obtained. Finally, several typical examples are calculated.

Key words: heat transfer, crack, singular integral equation, boundary element method, stress intensity factor