Saint-Venant torsion of orthotropic bars with a circular cross-section containing multiple cracks

Abstract

In this paper, the problem of the circular orthotropic bars with multiple cracks is investigated based on the Saint-Venant torsion theory. The solution to the problem of an orthotropic bar weakened by a Volterra-type screw dislocation is first obtained by means of the finite Fourier sine transform. In this research, the bar is assumed to be subjected to an axial net torsion when finding the dislocation solution. The closed form solution is then derived for displacement and stress fields in the bar. At the next step, the dislocation solution is employed to derive a set of Cauchy singular integral equations for analysis of the circular bar with curved cracks. The solution to these equations is used to determine the torsional rigidity of the bar and the stress intensity factors of the tips of the cracks. The paper is furnished with several examples of a single crack and multiple cracks.