Computation of energy release rate for interfacial crack in orthotropic bimaterials

Abstract

The interfacial crack in bimaterials is a very interesting problem for composite materials and which has received particular attention from several researchers. In this study, we will propose a numerical modeling of the interfacial crack between two orthotropic materials using a special mixed finite element. For the calculation of the energy release rate, a technique, based on the association of the present mixed finite element with the virtual crack extension method, was used. The numerical model proposed, in this work, was used to study a problem of interfacial crack in bimaterials. Two cases were treated: isotropic and orthotropic bimaterials. The results obtained, using the present element, were compared with the values of the analytical solution and other numerical models found in the literature.