Analysis of a central crack normal to a piezoelectric–orthotropic interface

Abstract

This study is concerned with the general solution of the field intensity factors and energy release rate for a Griffith crack normal to the interface between a rectangular piezoelectric ceramic and two same rectangular orthotropic materials of finite length under combined in-plane electrical and anti-plane mechanical loading. Both electrically continuous and impermeable crack surface conditions are considered. Employing Fourier transforms and Fourier series, the problem is reduced to dual integral forms. The solution to the resulting expressions is expressed in terms of Fredholm integral equation of the second kind. Analytical solutions are provided for a number of cases to study the influence of material combinations, geometry, crack surface boundary and loading conditions. The work also examines the influence of the crack boundary conditions on the results of the stress intensity factors and the energy release rate.