Dynamic Crack Propagation in a Layered Medium Under Antiplane Shear

In this study, the transient analysis of dynamic antiplane crack propagation with a constant velocity in a layered medium is investigated. The individual layers are isotropic and homogeneous. Infinite numbers of reflected cylindrical waves, which are generated from the interface of the layered medium, will interact with the propagating crack and make the problem extremely difficult to analyze. A useful fundamental solution is proposed in this study, and the solution can be determined by superposition of the fundamental solution in the Laplace transform domain. The proposed fundamental problem is the problem of applying exponentially distributed traction (in the Laplace transform domain) on the propagating crack faces. The Cagniard’s method for Laplace inversion is used to obtain the transient solution in time domain. The exact closed-form transient solutions of dynamic stress intensity factors are expressed in compact formulations. These solutions are valid for an infinite length of time and have accounted for contributions from all the incident and reflected waves interaction with the moving crack tip. Numerical results of dynamic stress intensity factors for the propagation crack in layered medium are evaluated and discussed in detail.