Numerical thermo-elastic analysis of singularities in two-dimensions

Linear elastic two-dimensional problems with singular points subjected to steady-state temperature distribution are considered. The stress tensor in the vicinity of the singular points exhibits singular behavior characterized by the strength of the singularity and the associated thermal stress intensity factors (TSIFs). It is shown that the TSIFs and the strength of the stress singularity can be obtained using the principle of complementary energy together with the modified Steklov method and the p-version of the finite element method. Importantly, the proposed method is applicable not only to singularities associated with crack tips, but also to multi-material interfaces and non-homogeneous materials. Numerical results of crack-tip singularities in a rectangular plate and singular points associated with a two-material inclusion are presented.Research performed while the author served as a visiting assistant professor at the Center for Computational Mechanics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.