Axisymmetric finite cylinder with one end clamped and the other under uniform tension containing a penny-shaped crack

This study considers the axisymmetric analysis of a finite cylinder containing a penny-shaped transverse crack. Material of the cylinder is assumed to be linearly elastic and isotropic. One end of the cylinder is bonded to a fixed support while the other end is subjected to uniform axial tension. Solution is obtained by superposing the solutions for an infinite cylinder loaded at infinity and an infinite cylinder containing four cracks and a rigid inclusion loaded along the cracks and the inclusion. When the radius of the inclusion approaches the radius of the cylinder, its mid-plane becomes fixed and when the radius of the distant cracks approach the radius of the cylinder, the ends become cut and subject to uniform tensile loads. General expressions for the perturbation problem are obtained by solving Navier equations with Fourier and Hankel transforms. Formulation of the problem is reduced to a system of five singular integral equations. By using Gauss-Lobatto and Gauss-Jacobi integration formulas, these five singular integral equations are converted to a system of linear algebraic equations which is solved numerically. Stress distributions along the rigid support, stress intensity factors at the edges of the rigid support and the crack are calculated.     

Pull-off test for a cracked layer bonded to a rigid foundation

This paper is concerned with the plane strain problem of an elastic incompressible layer bonded to a rigid foundation. An upward tensile force is applied to the top surface of the layer through a rigid strip of finite thickness. The layer contains either a finite central crack or two semiinfinite external cracks. The analysis leads to a system of singular integral equations. These integral equations are solved numerically and the interface stress distributions, stress intensity factors at the crack tips and at the corners of the rigid strip, probable cleavage angle for the finite crack and strain energy release rate are calculated for various geometries.     

Pull-off test for a cracked layer bonded to a rigid foundation

This paper is concerned with the plane strain problem of an elastic incompressible layer bonded to a rigid foundation. An upward tensile force is applied to the top surface of the layer through a rigid strip of finite thickness. The layer contains either a finite central crack or two semi-infinite external cracks. The analysis leads to a system of singular integral equations. These integral equations are solved numerically and the interface stress distributions, stress intensity factors at the crack tips and at the corners of the rigid strip, probable cleavage angle for the finite crack and strain energy release rate are calculated for various geometries.     

The elastostatic problem of an infinite strip containing a periodic row of line cracks

The two dimensional problem of an infinite strip containing a periodic row of line cracks, each subjected to arbitrary but identical pressure distribution, is solved by superposing two solutions: the problem of a row of line cracks in an infinite medium and the solution of an infinite strip loaded at the edges. This procedure leads to a system of simultaneous integral equations. The solution is obtained by reduction of these equations into algebraic equations with the help of Fourier expansion of involved functions. An analytic expression for the stress-intensity factor is also derived. Boundary conditions are later modified to get the solution of the problem of an infinite sheet containing doubly periodic array of line cracks.     

Finite strip with a central crack under tension

In this study, a symmetrical finite strip with a length of 2L and a width of 2h, containing a transverse symmetrical crack of width 2a at the midplane is considered. Two rigid plates are bonded to the ends of the strip through which uniformly distributed axial tensile load of magnitude 2hp₀ is applied. The material of the strip is assumed to be linearly elastic and isotropic. Both edges of the strip are free of stresses. Solution for this finite strip problem is obtained by means of an infinite strip of width 2h which contains a crack of width 2a at y = 0 and two rigid inclusions of width 2c at y = ±L and which is subjected to uniformly distributed axial tensile load of magnitude 2hp₀ at y = ±∞. When the width of the rigid inclusions approach the width of the strip, i.e., when c → h, the portion of the infinite strip between the inclusions becomes identical with the finite strip problem. Fourier transform technique is used to solve the governing equations which are reduced to a system of three singular integral equations. By using the Gauss–Jacobi and the Gauss–Lobatto integration formulas, these integral equations are converted to a system of linear algebraic equations which is solved numerically. Normal and shearing stress distributions and the stress intensity factors at the edges of the crack and at the corners of the finite strip are calculated. Results are presented in graphical and tabular forms.     

An elastic strip with periodic surface cracks under thermal shock

The problem of two periodic edge cracks in an elastic infinite strip located symmetrically along the free boundaries under thermal shock is investigated. It is assumed that the infinite strip is initially at constant temperature. Suddenly the surfaces containing the edge cracks are quenched by a ramp function temperature change. Very high tensile transient thermal stresses arise near the cooled surface resulting in severe damage. The degree of the severity for a subcritical crack growth mode is measured by determining the stresses intensity factors. The thermoelastic problem is treated as uncoupled quasi-static. The superposition technique is used to solve the problem. The thermal stresses obtained from the uncracked strip with opposite sign are utilized as the only external loads to formulate the perturbation problem. By expressing the displacement components in terms of finite and infinite Fourier transforms, a hypersingular integral equation is derived with the crack surface displacement as the unknown function. Numerical results for stress intensity factors are carried out and presented as a function of time, cooling rate, crack length, and periodic crack spacing.     

An anisotropic strip weakened by an array of cracks

The paper deals with a 2-dimensional problem of an anisotropic elastic strip having an infinite row of Griffith cracks. By using integral equation approach, the problem is treated analytically. The stress intensity factor, the critical pressure and the energy required to open the crack are studied for two cases—(a) when the edges of the strip are in contact with smooth and rigid planes and (b) when the edges of the strip are free of tractions. Numerical results for the aforementioned quantities are obtained for both the cases for a specific anisotropic material and a comparison is made with the corresponding results for a strip made of an isotropic material.     

Thermal-stress analysis for a strip of finite width containing a stack of edge cracks

The thermal-stress problem of an infinite strip containing an infinite row of periodically distributed edge cracks normal to its edge is investigated. The surrounding temperature adjacent to the crack-containing edge is assumed to be cooled suddenly to simulate the thermo-shock condition. By the superposition principle, the formulation leads to a mixed-boundary-value problem, with the negating tractions derived from the thermal stresses of a crack-free infinite strip. An integral equation is obtained and solved numerically. The effect on the SIFs (stress-intensity factors) due to the presence of periodically distributed cracks in an infinite strip is delineated. The normalized SIFs increase as the stacking cracks separate, due to the reduction of the shielding effect. After a characteristic time period, the negating tractions along the crack faces become almost linear. The SIF solutions under the considered crack geometry are worked out in detail for the case of linear traction loading.     

A combined finite element/strip element method for analyzing elastic wave scattering by cracks and inclusions in laminates

 A new numerical technique combining the finite element method and strip element method is presented to study the scattering of elastic waves by a crack and/or inclusion in an anisotropic laminate. Two-dimensional problems in the frequency domain are studied. The interior part of the plate containing cracks or inclusions is modeled by the conventional finite element method. The exterior parts of the plate are modeled by the strip element method that can deal problems of infinite domain in a rigorous and efficient manner. Numerical examples are presented to validate the proposed technique and demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method. It is found that, by combining the finite element method and the strip element method, the shortcomings of both methods are avoided and their advantages are maintained. This technique is efficient for wave scattering in anisotropic laminates containing inclusions and/or cracks of arbitrary shape. Received 2 February 2001     

Solution of multiple crack problem in a finite plate using an alternating method based on two kinds of integral equation

This paper investigates a solution of multiple crack problem in a finite plate using an alternating method. The finite plate with cracks is an overlapping region of two regions: namely the infinite region exterior to the cracks and the finite region interior to finite plate without cracks. It is assumed that the cracks are applied by some loading and edges of the finite plate are of traction free. Governing equations for the problem and an alternating method are suggested. In the iteration, we need to solve two boundary value problems. One is the multiple crack problem in an infinite plate, and the other is the boundary value problem for the finite plate without crack. Several numerical examples are provided to prove the effectiveness of the suggested method.     

Cracked semi-infinite cylinder and finite cylinder problems

This work considers the analysis of a cracked semi-infinite cylinder and a finite cylinder. Material of the cylinder is assumed to be linearly elastic and isotropic. One end of the cylinder is bonded to a fixed support while the other end is subjected to axial tension. Solution of this problem can be obtained by superposition of solutions for an infinite cylinder subjected to uniformly distributed tensile load at infinity (I) and an infinite cylinder having a penny-shaped rigid inclusion at z = 0 and two penny-shaped cracks at z = ±L (II). General expressions for the perturbation problem (II) are obtained by solving Navier equations with Fourier and Hankel transforms. When the radius of the inclusion approaches the radius of the cylinder, the end at z = 0 becomes fixed and when the radius of the cracks approach the radius of the cylinder, the ends at z = ±L become cut and subject to uniform tensile load. Formulation of the problem is reduced to a system of three singular integral equations. By using Gauss–Lobatto and Gauss–Jacobi integration formulas, these three singular integral equations are converted to a system of linear algebraic equations which is solved numerically.     

Symmetric Edge Cracks in an Orthotropic Strip Under Normal Loading

The problem of two edge cracks of finite length, situated symmetrically in an orthotropic infinite strip of finite thickness 2 h, under normal point loading has been discussed. The displacements and stresses in plane strain conditions are expressed in terms of two harmonic functions. The problem is addressed by seeking the solution of a pair of simultaneous integral equations with Cauchy type singularities solved by finite Hilbert Transform technique. For large h, analytical expression for the stress intensity factor at the crack tip is obtained.     

The problem of internal cracks in an infinite strip having a circular hole

Summary. The elastostatic plane problem of an infinite strip having a circular hole and containing two symmetrically located internal cracks perpendicular to the boundary is formulated in terms of triply coupled integral equations. The solution of the problem is obtained for various crack geometries and for uniaxial tension applied to the strip away from the crack region. Quantities of physical interest are displayed in graphical forms.     

Transverse cracks in a strip with reinforced surfaces

The symmetrical problem of two transverse cracks in an elastic strip with reinforced surfaces is formulated in terms of a singular integral equation. The special cases of one central crack or two edge cracks are discussed. Numerical methods for solving the problems with internal cracks are outlined and stress intensity factors are presented for various geometries and degrees of surface reinforcement.     

On three-dimensional singular stress/residual stress fields at the front of a crack/anticrack in an orthotropic/orthorhombic plate under anti-plane shear loading

A novel eigenfunction expansion technique, based in part on separation of the thickness-variable, is developed to derive three-dimensional asymptotic stress field in the vicinity of the front of a semi-infinite through-thickness crack/anticrack weakening/reinforcing an infinite orthotropic/orthorhombic plate, of finite thickness and subjected to far-field anti-plane shear loading. Crack/anticrack-face boundary conditions and those that are prescribed on the top and bottom (free, fixed and lubricated) surfaces of the orthotropic plate are exactly satisfied. Five different through-thickness crack/anticrack-face boundary conditions are considered: (i) slit crack, (ii) anticrack or perfectly bonded rigid inclusion, (iii) transversely rigid inclusion (longitudinal slip permitted), (iv) rigid inclusion in part perfectly bonded, the remainder with slip, and (v) rigid inclusion located alongside a crack. Explicit expressions for the singular stress fields in the vicinity of the fronts of the through-thickness cracks, anticracks or mixed crack–anticrack type discontinuities, weakening/reinforcing orthotropic/orthorhombic plates, subjected to far-field anti-plane shear (mode III) loadings, are presented. In addition, singular residual stress fields in the vicinity of the fronts of these cracks, anticracks and similar discontinuities are also discussed.     

Diffraction of shear waves by a rigid strip in a medium of monoclinic type

Summary The paper discusses the two dimensional problem of diffraction of shear waves by a rigid strip in an infinite medium of monoclinic type. This problem is reduced to a system of dual integral equations of which the solution provides the diffracted field. The method of steepest descent has been used in the determination of the diffracted fields at a large distance from the strip. Diffraction pattern for displacement and stress field have been computed and the effect of anisotropy is distinctly marked.With 6 Figures     

An approximate analysis of an internally loaded elastic plate containing an infinite row of closely spaced parallel cracks

The stress transfer which occurs in an internally loaded infinite elastic plate containing an array of closely spaced parallel cracks of finite width is examined. The internal loading corresponds to a doublet of concentrated forces which act at finite distances from the cracked region. The solution presented is approximate to the extent that the state of stress in the strip regions contained between adjacent cracks is considered to be one-dimensional. Such a simplification enables the derivation of certain general results for the stress distribution in a strip region contained within internally loaded half-planes of differing elastic characteristics. These solutions are obtained by Fourier transform methods. Attention is particularly focussed on the estimation of the stress magnification which occurs in the strip region.     

On the computation of two-dimensional stress intensity factors using the boundary element method

General two-dimensional linear elastic fracture problems are investigated using the boundary element method. The √r displacement and 1/√r traction behaviour near a crack tip are incorporated in special crack elements. Stress intensity factors of both modes I and II are obtained directly from crack-tip nodal values for a variety of crack problems, including straight and curved cracks in finite and infinite bodies. A multidomain approach is adopted to treat cracks in an infinite body. The body is subdivided into two regions: an infinite part with a finite hole and a finite inclusion. Numerical results, compared with exact solution whenever possible, are accurate even with a coarse discretization.     

Debonding of rigid curvilinear inclusions in longitudinal shear deformation

The problem of two symmetrically placed interface cracks at rigid curvilinear inclusions under longitudinal shear deformation is considered. A solution valid for arbitrary inclusion shapes is found. It depends on a parameter β describing the cracks. For $\text{β = e}{}^{\mathrm{i\alpha }}$ where α is an angle, the cracks lie in the interface. For β real and greater than unity, we have two radial cracks emanating from a curvilinear cavity. The solution for $\text{β = 1}$ corresponds to a completely debonded inclusion.Examples of elliptic, square with rounded corners, and rectangular inclusions are worked out in detail. It is shown that the crack tip stress intensity factor becomes infinite for interface cracks terminating at cusps and corners. This phenomenon is attributed to the change in the nature of the singularity as the crack tip approaches a cusp or corner. The singularity is three-quarter power at a cusp and two-thirds power at a corner of a rectangular inclusion. Finally, the application of the results to composite materials is indicated.     

A finite element method for calculating stress intensity factors and its application to composites

A concept which allows for the development of efficient finite element techniques in the analysis of plane elastic structures containing cracks is discussed. It consists of combining a specially defined finite element in the region surrounding each crack tip with conventional CST elements describing the remaining portion of the geometry considered. For the special element a pair of displacement functions is chosen which adequately represents the singular character of the elastic solution at the crack tip. The application of this concept is illustrated through a specific numerical method developed by W. K. Wilson for the calculation of mode I stress intensity factors.

Wilson's method was coded and used to analyze an infinitely long strip under tension with a line crack perpendicular to its axis of symmetry. Circular inclusions of different material properties were assumed to be present near the tips of the crack and their effect on the mode I stress intensity factor was investigated.

It was found that more flexible inclusions increase the intensity factor while more rigid inclusions decrease it. These results are quite similar to those obtained by analytical methods in an analogous problem involving an infinite sheet, but in the case of a strip, the influence of inclusions on the intensity factor was found to be more pronounced.