Multiple interacting cracks in an orthotropic layer

The stress fields in an orthotropic layer containing climb and glide edge dislocations are obtained by means of the complex Fourier transform. Stress analysis in the intact layer under in-plane point loads is also carried out. These solutions are employed to derive integral equations for the layers weakened by several interacting cracks subject to in-plane deformation. The integral equations are of Cauchy singular type. These equations are solved numerically for the density of dislocations on a crack surface. The dislocation densities are utilized to derive stress intensity factor for cracks. Several examples are solved and the interaction between the two cracks is investigated.