Complete solution to the problem of an external circular crack in a transversely isotropic body subjected to arbitrary shear loading

A complete solution to the problem of an external circular crack in a transversely isotropic body subjected to arbitrary shear loading is described. Explicit expressions are given for the field of stresses and displacements in a transversely isotropic elastic body weakened by an external circular crack. The crack faces are subjected to arbitrary concentrated shear loading. All the results are presented in terms of elementary functions. The problem of interaction between an arbitrarily located horizontal force and an external circular crack is considered as an example. No similar result seem to have been previously in the literature, even in the case of an isotropic body.