A circular inhomogeneity with a mixed-type imperfect interface in anti-plane shear

We present a rigorous study of the problem associated with a circular inhomogeneity embedded in an infinite matrix subjected to anti-plane shear deformations. The inhomogeneity and the matrix are each endowed with separate and distinct surface elasticities and are bonded together through a soft spring-type imperfect interphase layer. This combination is referred to in the literature as a ‘mixed-type imperfect interface’ due to the fact that the soft interphase layer (described by the spring model) is bounded by two stiff interfaces arising from the separate surface elasticities of the inhomogeneity and the matrix. The entire composite is subjected to remote shear stresses and we allow for the presence of a screw dislocation in either the inhomogeneity or the matrix. The corresponding boundary value problem is reduced to two coupled second-order differential equations for the two analytic functions defined in the two phases (as well as their analytical continuations) leading to solutions in either series or closed-form. The analysis indicates that the stress field in the composite and the image force acting on the screw dislocation can be described completely in terms of three size-dependent parameters and a size-independent mismatch parameter. Interestingly, in the absence of the screw dislocation, the size-dependent stress field inside the inhomogeneity is uniform. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the solution for a screw dislocation located inside the matrix. The results show that it is permissible for the dislocation to have multiple equilibrium positions.