Stress intensity factors for ring-shaped crack surrounded by spherical inclusions

Interaction of a ring-shaped crack with inhomogeneities such as inclusions is analyzed for the resulting three-dimensional stress field. Considered for the composite solid with a given volume fraction of inclusions are the two cases of (a) spherical voids and (b) spherical inclusions with elastic moduli different from the matrix. A ring-shaped crack is initiated at the equator of one of the voids or inclusions. A three-phase model is used to examine the interaction between the crack and surrounding inhomogeneities. Finite element method is then applied to calculate the stress intensity factor for different configurations. The effects of volume fraction of inhomogeneities, relative size of crack to inclusions, and material constants on crack behavior are discussed.