Numerical solution for the T-stress in branch crack problem with infinitesimal branch length

This paper investigates the T-stress in a branch crack problem with infinitesimal branch length. The branch crack is composed of a main crack and many branches. The ratio of the lengths for branch to main crack is very small. A singular integral equation method is suggested to solve the problem numerically and the stress intensity factor and T-stress can be evaluated immediately. Many computed results for T-stress under different conditions for branches are presented. It is found from the computed results that the interaction for T-stress among branches is very complicated.