Orthotropic strip with central semi-infinite crack under arbitrary loads applied far apart from the crack tip. Analytical solution

An exact analytical solution is derived for the problem of a homogeneous orthotropic strip with a central semi-infinite crack loaded by a self-balanced system of forces applied far enough from the crack tip to be considered as applied at infinity. The general solution is expressed as superposition of solutions for four elementary loads. The mode I and mode II stress intensity factors are obtained in terms of two functions, one for the opening mode and one for shear, which depend on a single parameter and are expressed as single integrals.