An automatic 3-D non-planar crack propagation simulation method based on finite element method (FEM) was developed. This method established cracked block by parametric modeling method

inserted initial crack in structure model by inlaying the cracked block

then acquired crack propagation parameters through FEM analysis; then it automatically updated cracked block to simulate the propagation process of crack. Through the simulation of three crack propagation cases

the crack propagation cycles were calculated; compared with the experimental results

the errors were 19.5%

16.1%

2.1% respectively. The results show that this method can simulate nonplanar 3-D crack propagation and calculate propagation life with accuracy and applicability.