Contours for planar cracks growing in three dimensions: Coupled thermoelastic solid (planar crack growth in 3D)

ABSTRACT

Dynamic steady-state growth in 3D of a semi-infinite plane brittle crack in a coupled thermoelastic solid is considered. Compressive loads cause growth by translating on the crack surfaces at constant, subcritical speed. An asymptotic solution is obtained in an analytic form and subjected to a criterion of the Griffith type for the case of a compressive point force. The exact solution to a nonlinear differential equation indicates a rectilinear crack edge deformed by a bulge near the point force. Temperature change near the crack edge is examined in terms of a mathematical norm.