The time-dependent interaction between inclusions and a cracked matrix subjected to antiplane shear

Abstract

The time-dependent interaction between multiple circular inclusions and a cracked matrix in the antiplane viscoelastic problem is discussed in this paper. The fundamental elastic solution is obtained as a rapidly convergent series in terms of complex potentials via successive iterations of Mobius transformation in order to satisfy continuity conditions on multiple interfaces. Based on the correspondence principle, the Laplace transformed viscoelastic solution is then directly determined from the corresponding elastic one. In association with the singular integral technique, the time-dependent mode-III stress intensity factor of the crack tip can be solved numerically in a straightforward manner. Finally, some typical examples of an arbitrary crack lying in a matrix with various material properties under various loading types are also discussed. The results show that, depending on the relative locations and material properties of inclusions, the evolution of the stress intensity factor (SIF) may increase or decrease with time.