Effect of the electrical boundary condition at the crack face on the mode I energy release rate in piezoelectric ceramics

Abstract

This paper discusses the crack behavior of rectangular piezoelectric ceramics under electromechanical loading. A finite element analysis was employed to calculate the fracture mechanics parameters such as mode I energy release rate for the permeable, impermeable, and open crack models. Recently proposed nonlinear electrically discharging crack model was also considered. The effect of applied electric fields on the fracture mechanics parameters was then examined under various electrical boundary conditions at the crack face.