An interface crack in a functionally graded piezoelectric bi-layer under anti-plane shear impact

The transient response of an interface crack between two dissimilar functionally graded piezoelectric material (FGPM) layers under anti-plane shear impact loading is analyzed using the integral transform method. The properties of the FGPM layers vary continuously along the thickness, and the two layers are connected weak-discontinuously. Laplace transform and Fourier transform are used to reduce the problem to two sets of dual integral equations, which are then expressed to the Fredholm integral equations of the second kind. Numerical values on the dynamic energy release rate are presented for the FGPM to show the effects on the electric loading, variation and gradient of material properties, and thickness of layers. Following things are helpful to increase the resistance of transient fracture of interface crack in FGPMs: (a) increase of the material properties from the interface to the upper or lower free surface; (b) decrease of weak discontinuity at the interface; (c) increase of the gradient of material properties; (d) certain direction and magnitude of the electric loading; and (e) increase of the thickness of the FGPM layer.