Asymmetrical Cracks Parallel to an Interface between Dissimilar Materials

This paper solves a plane strain problem for two bonded dissimilar planes containing a crack parallel to the interface in each layer. The bimaterial system is loaded by tractions distributed along the crack surfaces. Based on the Fourier transform, the problem is reduced to a system of Cauchy type singular integral equations which contain exact and explicit kernel functions. The solution of these equations is obtained easily by utilizing Gauss–Chebyshev integral formulae for various material combinations and geometrical parameters. Several numerical results of stress intensity factors, energy release rate and stress distribution along the interface are presented to exhibit the interaction among cracks and interface. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.