Effects of Mixed-Mode and Crack Surface Convection in Rapid Crack Growth in Coupled Thermoelastic Solids

Abstract

Two Green’s function problems for rapid two-dimensional steady-state crack growth governed by fully coupled (dynamic) linear thermoelasticity are analyzed. In Problem A, normal and in-plane shear line loads move on the insulated surfaces of a semi-infinite crack growing at a subcritical speed. Problem B involves only normal line loads, but crack surface convection is allowed. Problem A involves, therefore, mixed traction/displacement boundary conditions, while Problem B also exhibits mixed thermal boundary conditions. Robust asymptotic forms based on exact solutions for related problems reduce Problems A and B to coupled sets of integral equations. Both sets exhibit both Cauchy and Abel operators, but are solved exactly. The solutions show that Mode II loading couples the tangential crack face separation and discontinuity in crack-face temperature changes, while crack surface convection enhances thermal response, especially at large distances. [S0021-8936(00)03101-9]