A model for interface cracks in layered orthotropic solids: Convergence of modal decomposition using the interaction integral method

The mode-partitioning problem for bimaterial interfaces is still not resolved by the classical fracture mechanics approach in a satisfactory manner. Stress oscillations and overlapping crack faces are a direct consequence of the rigorous solution of the elastic boundary value problem, if the constitutive law changes discontinuously across the interface. Conversely, continuously varying material properties, also referred to as functionally graded materials (FGM), avoid these physically not admissible drawbacks. In this case the crack tip fields are of the same nature as those known from homogeneous materials. Therefore, the well-established stress intensity factor concept can be used without any changes. Following this motivation an FGM-interface model for delaminated composite beam structures was developed and its characteristics with respect to the modal decomposition of the crack tip fields were investigated. The considered beam structures consisted of two orthotropic layers, each of a different material. The spatial variation of the material properties in the interface region was modeled by a tanh-function introducing one transition parameter that controlled the FGM-gradient. Four load cases were analyzed for each structural configuration: either a unit normal force or a unit bending moment was imposed on each end of the split beam. Thus, any load case can be simply reconstructed from the presented results by means of superposition. The stress intensity factors for modes I and 11 were then evaluated using an interaction integral method along with the finite element method. The corresponding results are given depending on the mesh density of the interface region, the integration domain and the transition parameter. In this manner, the influence of the transition parameter on the mode ratio and on the convergence behavior of the modal decomposition scheme with respect to its integration domain was identified. Finally, the ability of the FGM-interface model to represent bimaterial interfaces while still maintaining the advantages of crack analysis in homogeneous materials was highlighted. Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.