Stress intensity factors for a crack in front of an inclusion

A stable numerical algorithm is presented for an elastostatic problem involving a crack close to and in front of an inclusion interface. The algorithm is adaptive and based on an integral equation of Fredholm’s second kind. This enables accurate analysis also of rather difficult situations. Comparison with stress intensity factors of cracks close to straight infinite bimaterial interfaces are made. Key words: Bimaterial, crack, interface, stress intensity factor, integral equation of Fred-holm type