Context Of Linear Fracture Mechanics Research Articles

Interlaminar crack problems of a laminated anisotropic medium

The interlaminar crack problems of a fiber-reinforced composite laminate under a state of generalized plane deformation are studied within the theory of anisotropic elasticity. The crack is considered to be embedded within a matrix interlaminar region of the laminate. Based on the Fourier integral transform technique and the stiffness matrix formulation, the current mixed boundary value problem is reduced to solving a system of Cauchy-type singular integral equations of the first kind. Within the context of linear fracture mechanics, the stress intensity factors are then defined in terms of the solutions of the corresponding integral equations. Numerical results are obtained for in-plane normal (mode I), in-plane shear (mode II), and anti-plane shear (mode III) crack surface loadings. Under each loading, the effects of layer fiber orientation and crack location on both the major and coupling stress intensity factors are illustrated.