Stress intensity factor of an edge crack in composite media

Abstract

The problem of an edge crack under normal point loading terminating perpendicular to the surface of an orthotropic strip of finite thickness bonded to another orthotropic finite strip is considered. Expressing the displacements and stresses in plane strain condition in terms of harmonic functions, the problem is reduced to a pair of integral equations solved by the Hilbert transform technique. The analytical expression of stress intensity factor (SIF) at the crack tip for large thickness of the strips is calculated, which corresponds to the weight function of a crack under normal point loading. The effects of elastic constants, different locations of normal point loading on the crack surface and length of the crack in the composite material are analyzed numerically. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011.