Creases and cracks in finite elasticity

Abstract

This paper contains a model of singularities occurring in soft tissues due to resorption of matter or drying. An asymptotic treatment, consistent with the fully nonlinear equilibrium theory near the tip of a crack in a slab is considered in plane strain, plane stress and poro-elastic modeling. The crack faces are free of stresses but capillary effects or surface elasticity are also included. The tensile loading applied at infinity is due to the resorption of matter or to fluid flow caused by drying. The asymptotic analysis is completed by the technique of the J-integral and the stress intensity factor can be evaluated in the three cases.