Thermoelastic analysis of nonhomogeneous structural materials with an interface crack under uniform heat flow

Many modern materials are layered material systems. Interfaces are inherent to these materials because they are heterogeneities, such as thermal and residual stresses in the elastic properties. In this paper, we study a partially insulated interface crack between two different functionally graded materials bonded to a homogeneous material subjected to a steady-state heat flux away from the crack region as well as mechanical crack surface stresses. The problem is solved under the assumption of plane strain and generalized plane stress conditions. The properties of the functionally graded materials vary as exponential function in the thickness direction. Using the Fourier transform and a superposition technique, the singular integral equations for the temperature and the displacement fields are derived. The total strain energy release rate and strain energy density are obtained. Critical parametric studies are conducted for non-homogeneity parameter, the thermal stress intensity factors and minimum strain energy density.