Nonlocal theory solution of two collinear cracks in the functionally graded materials

In this paper, the interaction of two collinear cracks in functionally graded materials subjected to a uniform anti-plane shear loading is investigated by means of nonlocal theory. The traditional concepts of the nonlocal theory are extended to solve the fracture problem of functionally graded materials. To make the analysis tractable, it is assumed that the shear modulus varies exponentially with the coordinate vertical to the crack. By use of the Fourier transform, the problem can be solved with the help of a pair of triple integral equations, in which the unknown variable is the displacement on the crack surfaces. To solve the triple integral equations, the displacement on the crack surfaces is expanded in a series of Jacobi polynomials. Unlike the classical elasticity solutions, it is found that no stress singularity is present near the crack tips. The nonlocal elastic solutions yield a finite hoop stress at the crack tip, thus allowing us to use the maximum stress as a fracture criterion in functionally graded materials. The magnitude of the finite stress field depends on the crack length, the distance between two cracks, the parameter describing the functionally graded materials and the lattice parameter of the materials.