Stress intensity factors for periodic edge cracks in a semi-infinite medium with distributed eigenstrain

This study analyzes stress intensity factors for a number of periodic edge cracks in a semi-infinite medium subjected to a far field uniform applied load along with a distribution of eigenstrain. The eigenstrain is considered to be distributed arbitrarily over a region of finite depth extending from the free surface. The cracks are represented by a continuous distribution of edge dislocations. Using the complex potential functions of the edge dislocations, a simple as well as effective method is developed to calculate the stress intensity factor for the edge cracks. The method is employed to obtain the numerical results of the stress intensity factor for different distributions of eigenstrain. Moreover, the effect of crack spacing and the intensity of the normalized eigenstress on the stress intensity factor are investigated in details. The results of the present study reveal that the stress intensity factor of the periodic edge cracks is significantly influenced by the magnitude as well as distribution of the eigenstrain within the finite depth. The eigenstrains that induce compressive stresses at and near the free surface of the semi-infinite medium reduce the stress intensity factor that, in turn, contributes to the toughening of the material.