An interface integral equation method applied to a crack impinging upon a bimaterial,frictional interface

A crack impinging upon a frictional, bimaterial interface is studied theoretically. Specifically we consider the problem of an infinitely long, cracked, two-dimensional fiber, which is embedded in an infinite plane with distinct elastic properties. The composite is subjected to tensile loading parallel to the fiber. An interface integral equation method is developed to solve this problem. This method, involving to-be-determined distributions of line forces, reduces the specific problem considered here to four coupled integral equations which are solved numerically. The bimaterial effect appears to be significant with respect to the length of the slip zone along the interface and the interfacial shear stress. However, the blunting of the crack by the frictional interface is virtually independent of the bimaterial effect.