Interaction between cracks and rigid-line inclusions by an integral equation approach

 An integral equation approach is presented to investigate the interaction between cracks and rigid-line inclusions embedded in an infinite isotropic elastic matrix subject to remote loading. The relevant fundamental solutions in the integral formulation are presented. Special tip elements are used to simulate the variation of the discontinuous displacements over the crack surfaces, and the axial and shear forces along the rigid-line inclusions. The stress intensity factors at the crack tips and at the ends of the rigid-line inclusions are computed and compared with available solutions. Received: 6 August 2002 / Accepted: 3 February 2003 The work described in this paper was partially supported by a grant from the Research Grant Council of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China (Project No.: HKU 7011/01E). The authors would like to thank two reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions to the paper. The comments of Professor H.P. Hong at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Western Ontario of Canada are also appreciated.