Abstract: This paper describes a theoretical model and related computational methods forexamining the influence of inhomogeneous material properties on the crack driving force in elastic and elastic-plastic materials. Following the configurational forces approach, the crack tip shielding or anti-shielding dueto smooth (e.g. graded layer) and discontinuous (e.g. bimaterial interface)distributions in material properties are derived. Computational post-processing methods are described to evaluate these inhomogeneity effects.The utility of the theoretical model and computational methods is demonstrated by examining a bimaterial interface perpendicular to a crack in elastic and elastic-plastic compact tension specimens.Keywords: fracture mechanics, fracture toughness, composite materials, layered material, inhomogeneity, cracks, finite element method, elastic bimaterialsPublished in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 2697; Downloads: 91 Link to full text
