Thermal weight functions for bi-material interface crack system using energy principles

In this study, Betti’s reciprocal theorem and the principle of superposition are used to obtain weight functions in a two-dimensional bi-material interface crack system for any loading, in general and thermal loading, in particular. It is shown that the general expression of weight functions for bi-materials interface crack problems is of the same type as that found in a homogeneous mixed mode loading case. Furthermore, a computational approach has been developed for calculation of thermal stress intensity factors for bi-material interface cracks subjected to thermal loading under quasi-static uncoupled thermo-elasticity assumption. The thermal weight function (TWF) expression and computational scheme have been validated using three examples given in the available literature.