A dielectric crack in a functionally graded piezoelectric layer

Considering the dielectric effects inside a crack, the problem of an electrically dielectric crack in a functionally graded piezoelectric layer is addressed in this paper. The energetically consistent crack-face boundary conditions are utilized to analyze the effects of a dielectric of crack interior. Applying the Fourier transform technique, the boundary-value problem is reduced to solving three coupling singular equations. Then a system of non-linear algebraic equations is obtained and the field intensity factors along with the energy release rate are given. Numerical results show the differences of the electric displacement inside a crack, the stress and electric displacement intensity factors and the energy release rate using the permeable, impermeable, semi-permeable and energetically consistent boundary conditions respectively. The effects of the material non-homogeneity, the applied electric field and the discharge field of crack interior on the electrostatic traction acting on the crack faces and the energy release rate are further studied through the energetically consistent boundary conditions.

► We consider the dielectric effects inside the crack for the fracture analysis of a functionally graded piezoelectric layer. ► The permeable and impermeable cracks are the liming cases of a dielectric one. ► The non-homogenous parameter has great influences on the electrostatic traction on crack faces and the energy release rate.