Analysis of a conducting crack in an electrostrictive ceramic under combined electric and mechanical loading

A conducting crack in an electrostrictive ceramic under combined electric and mechanical loading is investigated. Analysis based on linear dielectric model predicts that the surfaces of the crack are not open completely but they are contact near the crack tip. The complete solution for the crack with a contact zone in a linear electrostrictive ceramic under combined electric and mechanical loading is obtained by using the complex variable formula. The asymptotic problems for a semi-infinite crack with a partial opening zone as well as for a fully open semi-infinite crack in a nonlinear electrostrictive ceramic are analyzed in order to investigate the effect of the electrical nonlinearity on the stress intensity factor under small scale nonlinear conditions. Particular attention is devoted to a finite crack in the nonlinear electrostrictive ceramic subjected to combined electric and mechanical loading. The stress intensity factor for the finite crack under small scale nonlinear conditions is obtained from the asymptotic analysis.