(1) Faculty of Mathematics, ‘Ovidius’ University, no 124, Bldv. Mamaia, RO-8700 Constanta, Romania e-mail;(2) Institute of Mathematics of the Romanian Academy, P.O. Box 1, 764 RO, 70700 Bucharest, Romania
Abstract:
We consider an elastic orthotropic material representing a fiber reinforced composite. The composite is prestressed and contains
two collinear cracks having different lengths. The faces of the cracks are acted by symmetrically distributed constant normal
incremental stresses. We determine the critical values of the applied incremental stresses for which the cracks tips start
to propagate and we analyse the interaction of the cracks as function of their lengths and of the distance between the cracks.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.