Interaction integrals for thermal fracture of functionally graded materials

This paper addresses finite element evaluation of the non-singular T-stress and mixed-mode stress intensity factors in functionally graded materials (FGMs) under steady-state thermal loads by means of interaction integral. Interaction integral provides an accurate and efficient numerical framework in evaluating these fracture parameters in FGMs under thermal as well as mechanical loads. We use a non-equilibrium formulation and the corresponding auxiliary (secondary) fields tailored for FGMs. Graded finite elements have been developed to account for the spatial gradation of thermomechanical properties. This paper presents various numerical examples in which the accuracy of the present method is verified. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.