Effect of electric boundary conditions on crack propagation in ferroelectric ceramics

In this paper, the effect of electric boundary conditions on Mode I crack propagation in ferroelectric ceramics is studied by using both linear and nonlinear piezoelectric fracture mechanics. In linear analysis, impermeable cracks under open circuit and short circuit are analyzed using the Stroh formalism and a rescaling method. It is shown that the energy release rate in short circuit is larger than that in open circuit. In nonlinear analysis, permeable crack conditions are used and the nonlinear effect of domain switching near a crack tip is considered using an energy-based switching criterion proposed by Hwang et al.（Acta Metal. Mater.,1995）. In open circuit, a large depolarization field induced by domain switching makes switching much more diffcult than that in short circuit. Analysis shows that the energy release rate in short circuit is still larger than that in open circuit, and is also larger than the linear result. Consequently,whether using linear or nonlinear fracture analysis, a crack is found easier to propagate in short circuit than in open circuit, which is consistent with the experimental observations of Kounga Njiwa et al.（Eng. Fract. Mech., 2006）.

THE SOLUTION OF A CRACK EMANATING FROM AN ARBITRARY HOLE BY BOUNDARY COLLOCATION METHOD

In this paper a group of stress functions has been proposed for the calculation of a crack emanating from a hole with different shape (including circular, elliptical, rectangular, or rhombic hole) by boundary collocation method. The calculation results show that they coincide very well with the existing solutions by other methods for a circular or elliptical hole with a crack in an infinite plate. At the smae time, a series of results for different holes in a finite plate has also been obtained in this paper. The proposed functions and calculation procedure can be used for a plate of a crack emanating from an arbitrary hole.

Application of scaled boundary finite element method in static and dynamic fracture problems

The scaled boundary finite element method （SBFEM） is a recently developed numerical method combining advantages of both finite element methods （FEM） and boundary element methods （BEM） and with its own special features as well. One of the most prominent advantages is its capability of calculating stress intensity factors （SIFs） directly from the stress solutions whose singularities at crack tips are analytically represented. This advantage is taken in this study to model static and dynamic fracture problems. For static problems, a remeshing algorithm as simple as used in the BEM is developed while retaining the generality and flexibility of the FEM. Fully-automatic modelling of the mixed-mode crack propagation is then realised by combining the remeshing algorithm with a propagation criterion. For dynamic fracture problems, a newly developed series-increasing solution to the SBFEM governing equations in the frequency domain is applied to calculate dynamic SIFs. Three plane problems are modelled. The numerical results show that the SBFEM can accurately predict static and dynamic SIFs, cracking paths and load-displacement curves, using only a fraction of degrees of freedom generally needed by the traditional finite element methods.

THE EXACT SOLUTIONS OF ELASTIC－PLASTIC CRACK LINE FIELD FOR MODE Ⅱ PLANE STRESS CRACK

The near crack line field analysis method has been used io investigate into theexact elastic-plastic solutions of a mode II crack under plane stress condilion in anelastic-perfectly plastic solid. The assumptions of the usual small scale yielding theory.hare been completely. dbandoned and the correct formulations of matching conditionsat the elaslic-plastic boundary. have been given. By, matching the general solution ofthe plastic slress field (bul not the special solution used to be adopted) with the exactelastic stress field (but not the crack tip K-dominant field) at the elastic-plasticboundary, near the crack line, the plastic stresses. the length of the plastic =one and theunit normal vector of the elastic-plastic boundary.which are sufficiently precise near the crack line region ,have been given.

THE EXACT SOLUTIONS OF ELASTIC－PLASTIC CRACK LINE FIELD FOR MODE Ⅱ PLANE STRESS CRACK

The near crack line field analysis method has been used to investigate into the exact elastic-plastic solutions of a mode Ⅱ crack under plane stress condition in anelastic-perfectly plastic solid. The assumptions of the usual small scale yielding theoryhave been completely. dbandoned and the correct .formulations of matching conditionsat the elastic-plastic boundary have been given. By matching the general solution of the plastic stress field (but not the special solution used to be adopted) will the exactelastic stress field (but not the crack tip K-dominant field) at the elastic-plasticboundary. near the crack line, the plastic .stresses, the length of the plastic zone and theunit normal vector of the elaslic-plastic boundary. which sufficiently precise nearthe crack line region, hare been given.

Twin boundary： Controllable interface to fatigue cracking

Twin boundaries（TBs） are key factors influencing the mechanical properties of crystalline materials. We have investigated the intrinsic fatigue cracking mechanisms of TBs during the past decade. The effects of TB orientations on the fatigue cracking mechanisms were revealed via cyclic deformation of a series of grown Cu bicrystals with a sole TB. Furthermore, the combined effects of crystallographic orientation and stacking fault energy（SFE） on the fatigue cracking mechanisms were clarified through cyclic deformation of polycrystalline Cu and Cu alloys. Both developments were reviewed in this report which will provide implications to optimize the interfacial design for the improvement of fatigue performance of metallic materials.

Semi-permeable Yoffe-type interfacial crack analysis in MEE composites based on the strip electro-magnetic polarization saturation model

Fracture analysis of a semi-permeable Yoffe-type interfacial crack propagating subsonically in magneto-electro-elastic （MEE） composites is presented based on the strip electro- magnetic polarization saturation （SEMPS） model. The electro-magnetic fields inside the crack are considered under the semi-permeable boundary condition. Nonlinear effects near the interfacial crack tip are represented by different electro-magnetic saturation zones. Utilizing the extended Stroh＇s method, we derive the moving dislocation densities as well as intensity factor and energy release rate for Yoffe-type MEE interracial crack. Numerical re- sults through an iterative approach are presented to show the characteristics of fracturedominant parameters with respect to propagation velocity and boundary condition category. The fracture-dominant parameters under the semi-permeable boundary condition are lower than those under the impermeable one, which implies that the electro-magnetic fields in the crack gap can retard the propagation of MEE interfacial crack.