Analytical solution for orthotropic composite plate containing a mode I crack along principle axis

Analytical stress analyses are presented for orthotropic composite materials containing a through crack under uniaxial normal loads (mode I). A harmonic differential equation has been established for the orthotropic plates with axes normal to the three orthogonal planes of material symmetry by introducing new complex variables. The complex theory was employed to find stress functions to satisfy the equilibrium equation, compatibility equation and boundary condition at infinite and crack surfaces. An analytical solution was examined in the case of isotropic materials. It is demonstrated that the analytical solution obtained is correct for the orthotropic composite plates.