Analysis of three-dimensional thermoelastic fracture problems using path-independent integrals

[[abstract]]This paper presents the three-dimensional path-independent integrals which are physically the energy release rates per unit area of crack extension along the direction of crack propagation in the volume surrounding the crack front increment for thermoelastic fracture problems. The variation of the integrals along the crack front increment is assumed to be linear and a simpler and more accurate approach to deal with three-dimensional thermoelastic fracture problems is thus established. Those path-independent integrals can be employed to calculate mixed-mode thermal stress intensity factors along the crack front accurately. To simulate the singularities of temperature gradient and thermal stress around the crack front effectively, the collapsed quarter-point singular elements are adopted. Based on the procedure developed, several three-dimensional thermoelastic fracture problems with straight or slant edge cracks with various Poisson's ratios are solved to show the applicability of this work.[[fileno]]2020224010021[[department]]動機