Fracture of Composite Orthotropic Plates Containing Periodic Buffer Strips

<p>The fracture problem of laminated plates which consist of bonded orthotropic layers is studied. It is assumed that the medium contains periodic cracks normal to the bi-material interfaces and the external loads are applied away from the crack region. The field equations for an elastic orthotropic body are transformed to give the displacement and stress expressions for each layer or strip. The unknown functions in these expressions are found by satisfying the remaining boundary and continuity conditions. A system of singular integral equations is obtained from the mixed boundary conditions. Three cases are considered: (a) The case of internal cracks; (b) The case of broken laminates; and (c) The case of a crack crossing the interface. The singular behavior around the crack tip and at the bi-material interface is studied. It is shown that the crack surface displacement derivative has a power singularity for practical orthotropic materials when the crack touches the interface i.e. for case (b). In studying the singular behavior at the bimaterial interfaces in case (c ) it is found that for some orthotropic material combinations there is no singularity in the crack surface displacement derivatives and the stresses.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>