Crack bifurcation predicted for dynamic anti-plane collinear cracks in piezoelectric materials using a non-local theory

A non-local theory of elasticity is applied to obtain the dynamic interaction between two collinear cracks in the piezoelectric materials plane under anti-plane shear waves for the permeable crack surface boundary conditions. Unlike the classical elasticity solution, a lattice parameter enters into the problem that make the stresses and the electric displacements finite at the crack tip. A one-dimensional non-local kernel is used instead of a two-dimensional one for the anti-plane dynamic problem to obtain the stress and electric displacement near the crack tips. By means of the Fourier transform, the problem can be solved with the help of two pairs of triple integral equations in which the unknown variable is the jump of the displacement across the crack surface. The solutions are obtained by means of the Schmidt method. Crack bifurcation is predicted using the strain energy density criterion. Minimum values of the strain energy density functions are assumed to coincide with the possible locations of fracture initiation. Bifurcation angles of +/-5degrees and +/-175degrees are found. The result of possible crack bifurcation was not expected before hand. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.