THE AXISYMMETRIC CRACK PROBLEM IN A NONHOMOGENEOUS MEDIUM

In this paper the axisymmetric crack problem for a nonrhomogeneous medium is considered. It is assumed that the shear modulus is a function of z approximated by y = ioe". This is a simple simulation of materials and interfacial zones with intentionally or naturally graded properties. The problem is a mixed mode problem and is formulated in terms of a pair of singular integral equations. With fracture mechanics applications in mind, the main results given are the stress intensity factors as a functions of the nonhomogeneity parameter a for various loading conditions. Also given are some sample results showing the crack opening displacements.-1-