Transient response of a crack in a functionally graded piezoelectric strip between two dissimilar piezoelectric strips

Abstract

Transient response of a crack in a functionally graded piezoelectric material (FGPM) interface layer between two dissimilar homogeneous piezoelectric layers under anti-plane shear is analyzed using integral transform approaches. The properties of the FGPM layer vary continuously along the thickness. The FGPM layer and two homogeneous piezoelectric layers are connected weak-discontinuously. Laplace and Fourier transforms are used to reduce the problem to two sets of dual integral equations, which are then expressed to the Fredholm integral equations of the second kind. Numerical values on the dynamic energy release rate (DERR) are presented for the FGPM to show the effects on electric loading, gradient of the material properties, and thickness of the layers. Computed results yield following conclusions: (a) the DERR increases with the increase of the gradient of the material properties of the FGPM layer; (b) certain direction and magnitude of the electric impact loading impedes crack extension; and (c) increase of the thickness of the FGPM layer and the homogeneous piezoelectric layer which has larger material properties than those of the crack plane are beneficial to increase of the resistance of transient fracture of the FGPM layer.