Anti-plane elastodynamic analysis of a cracked orthotropic strip

Stress analysis is carried out in an orthotropic strip containing a Volterra-type screw dislocation. The distributed dislocation technique is used to construct integral equations for an orthotropic strip weakened by multiple smooth cracks under time-harmonic anti-plane deformation. These equations are of Cauchy singular type at the location of dislocation, which are solved numerically to obtain the dislocation density on the faces of the cracks. The dislocation densities are employed to determine stress intensity factors for multiple smooth cracks under anti-plane deformation. Several examples are solved and the stress intensity factors are obtained. The effects of the geometric parameters, cracks location and orientation on the stress intensity factors of cracks are investigated.

► Stress analysis is carried out in an orthotropic strip containing a Volterra-type screw dislocation.
► Distributed dislocation technique is used to construct integral equations for an orthotropic strip.
► Dislocation densities are employed to determine stress intensity factors for multiple smooth cracks.
► Formulation is applicable for multiple curved cracks with arbitrary patterns.