Analysis of the Driving Forces for Multiple Cracks in an Infinite Nonhomogeneous Plate, Part II: Numerical Solutions

Abstract

In Part 1 of this work, an analytical model was developed for the fundamental solution for a crack embedded in an infinite nonhomogeneous plate. This fundamental solution is used here to generate the stress intensity factors and strain energy release rates for fully interactive multiple crack problems. Also, a numerical technique used in solving the singular integral equation in Part I is presented, along with a parametric study. The parametric study addresses the influence of crack distance, relative angular orientation, and the coefficient of nonhomogeneity on the crack driving forces. The strain energy release rate is recommended for use as a crack propagation criterion because it depends on the local material properties as well as all the remaining parameters contained in the stress intensity factors.