Transient analysis of multiply interacting cracks in orthotropic layers

The solution to an edge dislocation with time-dependent Burgers vector is obtained in the orthotropic layers. Structural energy dissipation is taken into account and it is modeled by viscous damping. Furthermore, stress analysis is carried out in the intact layer subjected to dynamic self-equilibrating point forces. These solutions are utilized to derive singular integral equations for the layer containing cracks parallel/perpendicular to its boundary. The equations are solved numerically to obtain dislocation density functions on a crack surface. These functions are used to determine dynamic stress intensity factors for cracks. Moreover, it is shown that the formulation may be used for the analysis of cracked rectangular regions under dynamic in-plane excitation.