Propagation pattern for a two-dimensional subsurface crack under a moving contact pressure

•Using 2-D WF for investigation of a fully closed 2-D subsurface crack.•Growth pattern determination for an elliptical crack under moving contact pressure.•History of SIFs calculation for subsurface cracks under subsurface shear stresses.•Validating WFM as a simple tool for the engineers to evaluate fatigue life. In the present study, weight function (WF) method was used to investigate the propagation pattern of a two-dimensional parallel subsurface crack under a moving contact pressure. Under contact loading, the crack was fully closed and only shear fracture modes led to the propagation. At first, the histories of stress intensity factors (SIFs) were calculated using the available two-dimensional WFs. Then, the SIFs range for four main points along the crack front and the Paris Law were utilized to determine step by step propagation. Results revealed WF method as an efficient method for fatigue analysis of fully closed cracks.