Evaluation of mode III stress intensity factors for bi-material notched bodies using the fractal-like finite element method

The fractal-like finite element method (FFEM) is extended to compute the stress intensity factors (SIFs) for bi-material notched bodies subject to anti-plane shear loading. The notched bodies are formed by bonding two materials together (isotropic-isotropic/isotropic-orthotropic). Also, a strain energy-based approach is developed and used to compute mode III SIFs for a bi-material notch using standard finite element (FE) commercial packages for comparison with corresponding data produced using the FFEM. Various numerical results for bi-material cracked/notched bodies under anti-plane shear are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the FFEM. Many new results for bi-material notched bodies are also introduced.

► Development of FFEM to compute mode III SIFs for bi-material notched bodies.
► Development of strain energy approach to compute mode III SIFs of bi-material notch.
► Excellent agreement of FFEM and energy-based mode III SIFs for bi-material notch.
► New results of behaviour of mode III SIFs for cracks parallel to an interface.
► Many new results for bi-material notched bodies are presented.