A Complex Variable Solution Based Analysis of Electric Displacement Saturation for a Cracked Piezoelectric Material

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the effect of electric displacement saturation for a failing piezoelectric ceramic material based on a complex variable solution of a Mode III and a Mode I crack. This particular electric nonlinearity is caused by a reduction of the ionic movement in the material in the presence of high electric fields. Total and strain energy release rates are computed for varying far field stresses, electric displacements, and electric fields and compared for cases without and with full electric displacement saturation to further advance the understanding of failure initiation in piezoelectric ceramics.