Stress-deformation analysis of the cracked elastic body

Abstract

A new analytical plane Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) model of the effective elastic moduli exhibited by an isotropic elastic cracked solid in tensile and compressive stress fields is presented. The effective Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio E¯,v¯, respectively, relate the stresses applied to the cracked solid with its macroscopic deformation. In the case of a compressive stress field the effective elastic moduli depend solely on properly oriented cracks that are either open or closed. This model is then used for the stress and displacement estimations around a circular axisymmetric hole under internal pressure and external hydrostatic stress. The creation of the hole alters the stresses in its neighborhood, and induces a deterioration of the elastic moduli. In this manner, the effective elastic moduli depend on the radial distance from the hole’s boundary. The validation of the algorithm was done against Kirsch’s analytical solution of the axisymmetric hole problem for nearly zero density of cracks as well as for large values of the friction angle. The model predicts a lower tangential stress concentration at the wall of the hole compared to that predicted by the constant linear elasticity solution and a maximum stress concentration that is not necessarily located at the wall of the hole. This apparent enhancement of rock strength adjacent to the wall is more pronounced for larger concentrations of open cracks.