Effect of multi-flat inclusions on stress intensity factor of a semi-infinite crack

Abstract

To investigate the plane interaction between a semi-infinite crack and two micro flat inclusions or an array of micro flat inclusions, a numerical technique based on the singular integral method with a mathematical model which represents the flat inclusions (including cracks) by distributions of edge dislocations is presented. It is assumed that the flat inclusion is an elastic sheet with negligible bending rigidity and the thickness of the flat inclusion is small compared to its lateral dimensions, so that the thickness distributions of the stress and strain in the inclusion may be neglected. The stress intensity factors of the main crack tip are calculated for a variety of crack-inclusion geometries. Numerical results for some cases are compared with available data in the literature and are found to be very accurate.