Analysis of Branched Cracks

Abstract

This paper presents a method for solving a class of two-dimensional elastic branched crack problems. In contrast to other approaches in the literature, the integral equation presented here enables different branched crack problems to be solved in a unified manner. Muskhelishvili’s potential formulation is used to derive, by means of a Green’s function technique, a singular integral equation in complex form. The problems of the asymmetrically, symmetrically, and doubly symmetrically branched cracks are considered. The ratio of the length of the branched crack to that of the main one may be varied arbitrarily and the limit in which this ratio goes to zero is obtained analytically. Stress-intensity factors at the branched crack tip are computed numerically and the results, where possible, are compared to those in the literature. Disagreements in the literature are discussed and clarified with the aid of the present results.