Multilayered piezomagnetic/piezoelectric composite with periodic interface cracks under magnetic or electric field

The multilayered piezomagnetic/piezoelectric composite with periodic interface cracks, subjected to in-plane magnetic or electric fields, is studied. By utilizing the periodic conditions, a bilayer with an interface crack is analyzed for the anti-plane deformation. The stress intensity factor is obtained by means of the Cauchy singular integration method. Analysis reveals that the material combination of piezomagnetic/piezoelectric layer has significant influences on the stress intensity factor versus the layer thickness ratio curves. In terms of the defined dimensionless parameter G, which represents the periodic interface material mismatch, three different cases can be categorized, i.e. G > 1, G < 1 and G = 1, where the stress intensity factor curves display different monotony.

► The alternating piezomagnetic/piezoelectric layer composite with periodic interface cracks is investigated.
► One dimensionless parameter indicating material mismatch, G, can be used to characterize the stress intensity factor (SIF).
► For G > 1, the SIF is nonmonotonic with respect to the passive layer thickness under magnetic loading.
► For G < 1, the SIF nonmonotonically varies with the passive layer thickness under electric loading.
► For G = 1, the SIF relies monotonously on the passive layer thickness, no matter for electric loading or magnetic loading.