In this paper a thermodynamically consistent damage mechanic model is presented
in the context of a boundary element formulation. In particular, the damage model of
Lemaitre is considered. The boundary element method (BEM) is applied by introducing
convenient inelastic strains which account for the irreversibly degeneration of the mechanical
properties due to a diffused microcracking in the structure. The theoretical background of the
model as well as the boundary element formulation are presented. The governing relations are
first derived by the free energy potential fully complying with thermodynamic principles, then
the flaw laws are obtained by assuming the existence of a damage activation function and
under the hypothesis of generalised associative damage behaviour, finally numerical results
are obtained by coupling suitably the BEM with the arclength methods
