The Near-Tip Stress Intensity Factor for a Crack Partially Penetrating an Inclusion

Abstract

When a crack is lodged in an inclusion, the difference between the elastic modulus of the inclusion and matrix material will cause the near-tip stress intensity factor to be greater or less than that prevailing in a homogeneous material. A method is derived for calculation of the near-tip stress intensity factor for the inclusion with arbitrary shape. The derivation of the fundamental formula is based on the transformation toughening theory. The equivalent transformation strain contributed from modulus difference between inclusion and matrix is calculated from Eshelby equivalent inclusion approach. As validated by numerical examples, the developed formula has excellent accuracy.