Analysis of multiple interfacial cracks in an orthotropic bi-material subjected to anti-plane shear loading

The present work concerns with the elasto-static problem of double interfacial cracks located between two dissimilar orthotropic plates. The dimensions of the bi-material composite, are assumed to be finite. The crack faces are subjected to anti-plane shear traction. Finite Fourier transforms are applied to reduce the problem to a triple series equations, and then to a system of singular integral equations with Cauchy type singularity. That are solved numerically using Gauss-Chebyshev integration formulae. The stress intensity factors, are determined in a closed form expressions. The obtained results agreed with the previous analytical ones. Further, a parametric study is introduced to investigate the effects of the geometric and elastic characteristics of the composite on the values of the stress intensity factors. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.