A complex variable boundary element method for solving interface crack problems

The problem of finite bimaterial plates with an edge crack along the interface is studied. A complex variable boundary element method is presented and applied to determine the stress intensity factor for finite bimaterial plates. Using the pseudo-orthogonal characteristic of the eigenfunction expansion forms and the well-known Bueckner work conjugate integral and taking the different complex potentials as auxiliary fields, the interfacial stress intensity factors associated with the physical stress-displacement fields are evaluated. The effects of material properties and crack geometry on stress intensity factors are investigated. The numerical examples for three typical specimens with six different combinations of the bimaterial are given.