FRACTURE ANALYSIS OF AN ANNULAR CRACK IN A PIEZOELECTRIC LAYER

A flat annular crack in a piezoelectric layer subjected to electroelastic loadings is investigated under electrically impermeable boundary condition on the crack surface. Using Hankel transform technique, the mixed boundary value problem is reduced to a system of singular integral equations. With the aid of Gauss-Chebyshev integration technique, the integral equations are further reduced to a system of algebraic equations. The field intensity factor and energy release rate are determined. Numerical results reveal the effects of electric loadings and crack configuration on crack propagation and growth. The results seem useful for design of the piezoelectric structures and devices of high performance.