Shape control of thin rigid inclusions and cracks in elastic bodies

The paper is concerned with a control of thin rigid inclusion and crack shapes in elastic bodies. It is assumed that rigid inclusions are delaminated; thus, cracks are located on the boundary of inclusions as well as outside of inclusions. We provide the problem formulations and analyze the shape sensitivity with respect to geometrical perturbations in the frame of free boundary models. Inequality type boundary conditions are considered at the crack faces to guarantee a mutual non-penetration between crack faces. Inclusion and crack shapes are considered as control functions. The cost functional, which is based on the Griffith rupture criterion, characterizes the energy release rate and provides the shape sensitivity with respect to a change of the geometry of the structure. We prove an existence of optimal shapes in the problems considered.     

Shape and topology sensitivity analysis for cracks in elastic bodies on boundaries of rigid inclusions

We consider an elastic body with a rigid inclusion and a crack located at the boundary of the inclusion. It is assumed that nonpenetration conditions are imposed at the crack faces which do not allow the opposite crack faces to penetrate each other. We analyze the variational formulation of the problem and provide shape and topology sensitivity analysis of the solution in two and three spatial dimensions. The differentiability of the energy with respect to the crack length, for the crack located at the boundary of rigid inclusion, is established.     

Perturbation analysis of Mode III interfacial cracks advancing in a dilute heterogeneous material

The paper addresses the problem of a Mode III interfacial crack advancing quasi-statically in a heterogeneous composite material, that is a two-phase material containing elastic inclusions, both soft and stiff, and defects, such as microcracks, rigid line inclusions and voids. It is assumed that the bonding between dissimilar elastic materials is weak so that the interface is a preferential path for the crack. The perturbation analysis is made possible by means of the fundamental solutions (symmetric and skew-symmetric weight functions) derived in Piccolroaz et al. (2009). We derive the dipole matrices of the defects in question and use the corresponding dipole fields to evaluate “effective” tractions along the crack faces and interface to describe the interaction between the main interfacial crack and the defects. For a stable propagation of the crack, the perturbation of the stress intensity factor induced by the defects is then balanced by the elongation of the crack along the interface, thus giving an explicit asymptotic formula for the calculation of the crack advance. The method is general and applicable to interfacial cracks with general distributed loading on the crack faces, taking into account possible asymmetry in the boundary conditions.The analytical results are used to analyse the shielding and amplification effects of various types of defects in different configurations. Numerical computations based on the explicit analytical formulae allows for the analysis of crack propagation and arrest.     

On stress analysis for a penny-shaped crack interacting with inclusions and voids

An analytical approach to calculate the stress of an arbitrary located penny-shaped crack interacting with inclusions and voids is presented. First, the interaction between a penny-shaped crack and two spherical inclusions is analyzed by considering the three-dimensional problem of an infinite solid, composed of an elastic matrix, a penny-shaped crack and two spherical inclusions, under tension. Based on Eshelby’s equivalent inclusion method, superposition theory of elasticity and an approximation according to the Saint–Venant principle, the interaction between the crack and the inclusions is systematically analyzed. The stress intensity factor for the crack is evaluated to investigate the effect of the existence of inclusions and the crack–inclusions interaction on the crack propagation. To validate the current framework, the present predictions are compared with a noninteracting solution, an interacting solution for one spherical inclusion, and other theoretical approximations. Finally, the proposed analytical approach is extended to study the interaction of a crack with two voids and the interaction of a crack with an inclusion and a void.     

The effect of an elastic triangular inclusion on a crack

IntroductionWiththedevelopmentofparticleandfiberreinforcedcomposites,theinclusion_crackinteractionproblemisbecominganimportantfieldbeingstudied .Andasamodel,itisalsousedtostudytheeffectsofmaterialdefectsonthestrengthandfractureofengineeringstructure.TheinterationbetweencircularinclusionandcrackwasstudiedinRefs.[1 -6 ] ;InRefs.[7-1 2 ] ,theinterationbetweenlineinclusionandcrackswasdiscussed ;TheinterationbetweenellipticalinclusionandcrackwasstudiedinRefs.[1 3,1 4] .However,withthedevelopmento…     

Boundary element analysis of interaction between an elastic rectangular inclusion and a crack

The interaction between an elastic rectangular inclusion and a kinked crack inan infinite elastic body was considered by using boundary element method. The new complexboundary integral equations were derived. By introducing a complex unknown function H(t)related to the interface displacement density and traction and applying integration by parts,the traction continuous condition was satisfied automatically. Only one complex boundaryintegral equation was obtained on interface and involves only singularity of order l/ r. Toverify the validity and effectiveness of the present boundary element method, some typicalexamples were calculated. The obtained results show that the crack stress intensity factorsdecrease as the shear modulus of inclusion increases. Thus, the crack propagation is easiernear a softer inclusion and the harder inclusion is helpful for crack arrest.     

Interaction between rigid-disc inclusion and penny-shaped crack under elastic time-harmonic wave incidence

Influence of a rigid-disc massive inclusion on a neighboring penny-shaped crack induced by the time-harmonic wave propagation in an infinite elastic matrix is investigated by the numerical solution of associated 3D elastodynamic problem. No restrictions on the mutual orientation of interacting objects and direction of wave incidence are assumed. The inclusion is perfectly bonded with a matrix and supposes the translations and rotations, the crack faces are load-free. Frequency-domain problem is reduced to a system of boundary integral equations (BIEs) relative to the interfacial stress jumps (ISJs) on the inclusion and the crack opening displacements (CODs). The subtraction technique in conjunction with mapping technique, under taking into account the structure of solution at the fronts of inclusion and crack, is applied for regularization of BIEs obtained. A discrete analogue of equations is constructed by using the collocation scheme. Numerical calculations are carried out for the grazing incidence of a plane P-wave on the crack, where the interacting inclusion is coplanar and perpendicular to the crack, and has the same radius. The shielding and amplification effects of inclusion are assessed by the analysis of mode-I stress intensity factor (SIF) in the crack vicinity depending on the wave number, incident wave direction, position of the crack front point, inclusion mass, crack-inclusion orientation and distance.     

Interaction between a compliant disk-shaped inclusion and a crack upon incidence of an elastic wave

The propagation of harmonic elastic wave in an infinite three-dimensional matrix containing an interacting low-rigidity disk-shaped inclusion and a crack. The problem is reduced to a system of boundary integral equations for functions that characterize jumps of displacements on the inclusion and crack. The unknown functions are determined by numerical solution of the system of boundary integral equations. For the symmetric problem, graphs are given of the dynamic stress intensity factors in the vicinity of the circular inclusion and the crack on the wavenumber for different distances between them and different compliance parameters of the inclusion.     

Indentation of a spherical cavity in an elastic body by a rigid spherical inclusion: influence of non-classical interface conditions

This paper examines the indentation of an elastic body by a rigid spherical inclusion. In contrast to conventional treatments where the contact between a rigid inclusion and the elastic medium is regarded as being perfectly bonded, we examine the influence of non-classical interface conditions including frictionless bilateral contact, separation and Coulomb friction on the load–displacement behaviour of the spherical rigid inclusion. Both analytical methods and boundary element techniques are used to examine the inclusion/elastic medium interaction problems. This paper also provides a comprehensive review of non-classical interface conditions between inclusions and the surrounding elastic media.     

Problem of a crack on the boundary of a rigid inclusion in an elastic plate

The problem of equilibrium of a thin elastic plate containing a rigid inclusion is considered. On part of the interface between the elastic plate and the rigid inclusion, there is a vertical crack. It is assumed that, on both crack edges, the boundary conditions are given as inequalities describing the mutual impenetrability of the edges. The solvability of the problem is proven and the character of satisfaction of the boundary conditions is described. It is also shown that the problem is the limit problem for a family of other problems posed for a wider region and describing equilibrium of elastic plates with a vertical crack as the rigidity parameter tends to infinity.     

SGBEM modeling of fatigue crack growth in particulate composites

The symmetric-Galerkin boundary element method (SGBEM) has previously been employed to model 2-D crack growth in particulate composites under quasi-static loading conditions. In this paper, an initial attempt is made in extending the simulation technique to analyze the interaction between a growing crack and clusters of perfectly bonded particles in a brittle matrix under cyclic loading conditions. To this end, linear elastic fracture mechanics and no hysteresis are assumed. Of particular interest is the role clusters of inclusions play on the fatigue life of particulate composites. The simulations employ a fatigue crack growth prediction tool based upon the SGBEM for multiregions, a modified quarter-point crack-tip element, the displacement correlation technique for evaluating stress intensity factors, a Paris law for fatigue crack growth rates, and the maximum principal stress criterion for crack-growth direction. The numerical results suggest that this fatigue crack growth prediction tool is as robust as the quasi-static crack growth prediction tool previously developed. The simulations also show a complex interplay between a propagating crack and an inclusion cluster of different densities when it comes to predicting the fatigue life of particulate composites with various volume fractions.     

Interaction of cracks with bonds between their faces in an isotropic medium reinforced by a regular system of stringers

A problem of an elastic isotropic medium with a system of foreign (transverse with respect to crack alignment) rectilinear inclusions is considered. The medium is assumed to be attenuated by a periodic system of rectilinear cracks with zones where the crack faces interact with each other. These zones are assumed to be adjacent to the crack tips, and their sizes can be commensurable with the crack size. Interaction between the crack faces in the tip zone is modeled by introducing bonds (adhesion forces) between the cracks with a specified strain diagram. The boundary-value problem of the equilibrium of a periodic system of cracks with bonds between their faces under the action of external tensile loads and forces in the bonds is reduced to a nonlinear singular integrodifferential equation with a kernel of the Cauchy kernel type. The condition of critical equilibrium of the cracks with the tip zones is formulated with allowance for the criterion of critical tension of the bonds. A case of a stress state of the medium containing zones where the crack faces interact with each other is considered.     

Problem of equilibrium of the timoshenko plate containing a crack on the boundary of an elastic inclusion with an infinite shear rigidity

A problem of equilibrium of a composite plate consisting of a matrix and an elastic inclusion with a through crack along the boundary of this inclusion is studied. The matrix deformation is described by the Timoshenko model, and the elastic inclusion deformation is described by the Kirchhoff-Love model. Conditions of mutual non-penetration of the crack edges are imposed on the curve that describes the crack. Unique solvability of the variational problem is proved. A system of boundary conditions on the curve bounding (in the mid-plane) the elastic inclusion is obtained. A differential formulation of the problem equivalent to the initial variational formulation is given.     

Photoelastic investigation of crack-inclusion interaction

An experimental procedure is presented for determining the mode I stress-intensity factor of an edge crack with a nearby rigid elliptical inclusion in a finite plate loaded in uniform tension. The rigid inclusion was modeled by bonding two identical steel inclusions on to the faces of a thin plate of polycarbonate. Models were constructed with edge cracks and various inclusion geometries so that the effect of parameters such as inclusion shape, orientation, and cracktip position on the stress-intensity factors of the crack could be determined. Photoelasticity experiments were used for this investigation and the results were compared to the results of a similar theoretical analysis of the interaction between a crack and an inclusion in an infinite plate. A good correlation was found between the experimental and theoretical models indicating that the results may help provide a better understanding of the toughening mechanisms in materials such as short-fiber-reinforced composites and ceramics. This experimental method is relatively easy to use making it an attractive candidate to be applied to similar problems involving cracks and inhomogeneities.     

Interaction of general plane P wave and cylindrical inclusion partially debonded from its viscoelastic matrix

The interaction of a general plane P wave and an elastic cylindrical inclusion of infinite length partially debonded from its surrounding viscoelastic matrix of infinite extension is investigated. The debonded region is modeled as an arc-shaped interface crack between inclusion and matrix with non-contacting faces. With wave functions expansion and singular integral equation technique, the interaction problem is reduced to a set of simultaneous singular integral equations of crack dislocation density function. By analysis of the fundamental solution of the singular integral equation, it is found that dynamic stress field at the crack tip is oscillatory singular, which is related to the frequency of incident wave. The singular integral equations are solved numerically, and the crack open displacement and dynamic stress intensity factor are evaluated for various incident angles and frequencies. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (19872002) and Climbing Foundation of Northern Jiaotong University     

Dynamic analysis of interacting coplanar cracks in a half space with a clamped boundary condition using boundary integral equations

The three-dimensional dynamic problem of coplanar circular cracks in an elastic half-space with a clamped boundary condition is considered. The crack faces are subjected to harmonic loads. The problem is reduced to a system of two-dimensional boundary integral equations of the type of the Helmholtz potential for unknown discontinuities in the displacements of the opposite faces of the cracks. The stress intensity factors at the crack contours are obtained and discussed.Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 46, No. 1, pp. 153–159, January–February, 2005     

Hypocycloidal Inclusions in Nonuniform Out-of-Plane Elasticity: Stress Singularity vs. Stress Reduction

Stress field solutions and Stress Intensity Factors (SIFs) are found for \(n\)-cusped hypocycloidal shaped voids and rigid inclusions in an infinite linear elastic plane subject to nonuniform remote antiplane loading, using complex potential and conformal mapping. It is shown that a void with hypocycloidal shape can lead to a higher SIF than that induced by a corresponding star-shaped crack; this is counter intuitive as the latter usually produces a more severe stress field in the material. Moreover, it is observed that when the order \(m\) of the polynomial governing the remote loading grows, the stress fields generated by the hypocycloidal-shaped void and the star-shaped crack tend to coincide, so that they become equivalent from the point of view of a failure analysis. Finally, special geometries and loading conditions are discovered for which there is no stress singularity at the inclusion cusps and where the stress is even reduced with respect to the case of the absence of the inclusion. The concept of Stress Reduction Factor (SRF) in the presence of a sharp wedge is therefore introduced, contrasting with the well-known definition of Stress Concentration Factor (SCF) in the presence of inclusions with smooth boundary. The results presented in this paper provide criteria that will help in the design of ultra strong composite materials, where stress singularities always promote failure. Furthermore, they will facilitate finding the special conditions where resistance can be optimized in the presence of inclusions with non-smooth boundary.     

Internally indented penny-shaped cracks: A comparison of analytical and boundary integral equation estimates

The problem of the axisymmetric internal indentation of a penny-shaped crack by a rigid circular inclusion is discussed. The paper presents a comparison of analytical and boundary integral equation results for the stress intensity factor at the boundary of the penny-shaped crack indented by a smooth inclusion. Numerical results presented in the paper examines the influence of features such as adhesion at the inclusion-elastic medium interface and finite geometry of the elastic solid containing the penny shaped crack.     

Opening-Function Simulation of the Three-Dimensional Nonstationary Interaction of Cracks in an Elastic Body

Integral relations between three-dimensional dynamic displacements (stresses) in an infinite elastic body with arbitrarily located plane cracks and discontinuities in the displacements of the opposite crack faces are presented. The influence of opening cracks on each other is considered in the problem on crack faces loaded by pulse forces. This problem is reduced to a system of boundary integral equations of the wave-potential type in a time domain. The dynamic mode I stress intensity factors are determined for two coplanar elliptic cracks under forces in the form of the Heaviside function     

On matched asymptotic expansions for two dimensional elastodynamic diffraction by cracks

For two-dimensional diffraction by a crack in an elastic solid it is shown that the geometrical theory of diffraction represents an asymptotic solution to the equations of linear elastodynamics, which satisfies the boundary conditions of vanishing tractions on the crack faces. The analysis consists of matching an outer solution valid far from the edge of the crack to an inner solution valid near the crack edge. The outer solution fails on the boundary of the region containing direct rays, as well as on the boundaries of the regions containing reflected rays of longitudinal and transverse motion. Uniform corrections to the theory are given which provide a smooth transition across these boundaries.