STEADY PROPAGATION OF INTERFACIAL CRACK IN LAYERED PIEZOELECTRIC STRIPS

An analysis is performed for the dynamic fracture problem of a finite Griffith crack propagating steadily with constant velocity along the interface between piezoelectric and elastic strips. The crack length is assumed to be unchanged. The combined out-of plane mechanical and in-plane electrical loads are applied to the layered piezoelectric strip. Fourier transforms are used to reduce the problem to a pair of dual integral equations, which are then expressed in terms of a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind. The dynamic stress intensity factor is determined. Plotted are the curves of dynamic stress intensity factor versus crack propagating speed, crack length, piezoelectric strip or elastic strip thickness and magnitude and direction of electrical loads, respectively. The results have potentially theoretical and applied value to structural design and the prevention of structural failure.