Asymptotic study of a thermoelastic problem in a semi-infinite body containing a surface-breaking crack and small perforations

Abstract

The formal asymptotic approximation of the displacement field for a thermoelastic half-plane, containing an edge crack and several voids, subjected to oscillatory thermal loads is presented under the assumption that the geometry is symmetric with respect to the axis of the crack. From this, the approximation of the Mode I stress intensity factor at the crack vertex is derived as a function of crack depth and time. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effect on the stress intensity factor when small voids are present. To show the validity of our approach, we provide comparisons with independent finite-element computations. © The author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press all rights reserved.