Determination of stress intensity factors of 3D curved non-planar cracks in FGMs subjected to thermal loading

A finite element analysis is presented about 3D curved non-planar cracks in functionally graded materials (FGMs) subjected to steady state temperature gradients. The interaction energy integral is employed in conjunction with a computational strategy that does not require a priori information about crack front and crack surface curvatures. The influence of graded thermal and mechanical properties on mixed mode stress intensity factors (SIFs) is explored in detail. Results highlighted the robustness of the proposed computational framework, which therefore can be effectively deployed in the analysis of thermal fracture in FGMs containing curved non-planar cracks.