Solutions of multiple crack problems of a circular plate or an infinite plate containing a circular hole by using Fredholm integral equation approach

Presented is an elementary solution, which is a particular solution of the circular plate containing one crack. The solution consists of two parts and satisfies the following conditions: (i) the first part corresponds to a pair of normal and tangential concentrated forces acting at a prescribed point on both edges of a single crack; (ii) the second part corresponds to some distributed tractions along both edges of the crack; (iii) the obtained elementary solution, i.e. the sum of the first and second parts, satisfies a traction free condition on the circular boundary. Using this elementary solution and taking some undetermined density of the elementary solution along each crack, a system of Fredholm integral equations of multiple crack problems can always be obtained. The multiple crack problems of an infinite plate containing a circular hole can be solved in a similar way. Several numerical examples are given in this paper.