Multiple crack interaction problem in magnetoelectroelastic solids

The interaction problem of multiple arbitrarily oriented and distributed cracks in magnetoelectroelastic materials is studied. After deriving the elementary solutions for a finite crack under different loading conditions, the present interaction problem is deduced to a system of integral equations with the aid of the pseudo-traction-electric-displacement-magnetic-induction method (abbreviated as PTEDMIM). After the integral equations are solved numerically by using the Chebyshev numerical integration technique, the three modes of stress intensity factors, the electric displacement intensity factor, the magnetic induction intensity factor as well as the mechanical strain energy release rate are evaluated. Detailed comparisons between the results derived under the compound mechanical-electric-magnetic loading conditions and those derived,under purely mechanical loading conditions are performed. Some valuable conclusions are given which are certain to be useful for investigating interaction effect among multiple cracks in magnetoelectroelastic solids. (C) 2004 Elsevier SAS. All-rights reserved.