Analysis of Z-branch from a pre-existing slipping crack in an anisotropic solid

• Published in: Computers & structures Vol. 84; no. 1; pp. 61 - 69
• Main Authors: Liou, J.Y., Sung, J.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2005; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Anisotropic solid; Computational techniques; Energy release rate; Exact sciences and technology; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Mathematical methods in physics; Physics; Slipping crack; Solid mechanics; Stress intensity factor; Stroh formalism; Structural and continuum mechanics; Z-branch; Anisotropic solid; Energy release rate; Stress intensity factor; Z-branch; Stroh formalism; Slipping crack; Branching; Energy release; Singular equation; Anisotropic material; Modeling; Short crack; Friction; Crack length; Integral equation; Crack tip
• ISSN: 0045-7949; 1879-2243
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruc.2005.08.002

The problem of Z-branch from a pre-existing slipping crack in an anisotropic solid is formulated in terms of a system of singular integral equations, which is developed by way of Stroh formalism. The frictional forces existing on the slipping crack are directly incorporated into the formulation. A numerical method is then employed to solve these equations. Two points are addressed in the present investigation. First, the problem of an infinitesimally small branched crack length is investigated, in which the effects of frictional forces on the stress intensity factors at the branched crack tips are studied. Then the level curves for the stress intensity factors and energy release rate are given, which are plotted versus various branch lengths and branch angles for the case of frictionless slipping surface problem. From the level curves some phenomena are observed and results are discussed.