Interaction of a crack with a pair of thin, elastic inclusions

The influence of a pair of thin, elastic inclusions on the stress intensity at a crack tip is considered. The interaction problem is formulated as a set of coupled singular integral equations and the solution is obtained by the Gauss-Chebyshev numerical technique. The stress intensity is computed as a function of certain geometric and elastic parameters of the inclusions, and the toughening effect of these parameters is evaluated.