This paper presents a continuum-based shape design sensitivity analysis(DSA) method for crack propagation problems using a reproducing kernel method(RKM), which facilitates the remeshing problem required for finite element analysis(FEA) and provides the higher order shape functions by increasing the continuity of the kernel functions. A linear elasticity is considered to obtain the required stress field around the crack tip for the evaluation of J-integral. The sensitivity of displacement field

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... and stress intensity factor(SIF) with respect to shape design variables are derived using a material derivative approach. For efficient computation of design sensitivity, an adjoint variable method is employed tather than the direct differentiation method. Through numerical examples, The mesh-free and the DSA methods show excellent agreement with finite difference results. The DSA results are further extended to a shape optimization of crack propagation problems to control the propagation path.