Modelization using MATLAB is quite powerful, can I simulate a damage structure by removing an element and run the analysis? But if I would like to simulate an actual crack, any ideas?
That sounds interesting, So far I just found few researchers who have done this numerically. The majority rely on FE softwre such as ABAQUS, ANSYS etc. It would be more clear for others if you describe the section geometry, the length of beam, type of materials and the loading case.
I think it is more suitable to use ANSYS software which is very powerful tool coming with a lot of tutorials in all area of study especially with subjects dealing with mechanical behavior of materials as cracks and damage.
Let's say it's a steel beam, IPE 300 (Eurocode format) a full length of 3 meters and simply supported, loaded by 80 kN at its middle or under a dynamic loading.