Finite element analysis of stress intensity factors for cracks at a bi-material interface

Abstract

The stress singularity at the tip of a crack, either lying along or perpendicular to the interface of the two materials, is first investigated by the complex variable method. The order of the singularity is shown to be dependent on both the crack geometry and two parameters α, β which are related to the four elastic constants of the two materials. A hybrid crack element is constructed to properly account for the crack tip singularity. The stress intensity factors and energy release rate for cracks in different bi-material continua are then calculated using the finite element method. The results show that the present finite element analysis makes possible a highly accurate and efficient numerical solution of fracture mechanics problems.