APPLICATION OF THE WEIGHT FUNCTION-METHOD TO 2-DIMENSIONAL ELASTODYNAMIC FRACTURE-MECHANICS

In this paper, the weight function method is used for two-dimensional mixed-mode crack analyses of elastostatic and elastodynamic problems. By the use of the Laplace transformation method and an indirect bounda ry element method, the dynamic stress intensity factors for a finite s heet containing a central or an edge crack are evaluated. A Green's fu nction method is introduced which depends on the weight function for a n impulsive applied load. The Green's function can be used to determin e stress intensity factors for arbitrary time dependence of the bounda ry conditions. The stress intensity factors obtained by the weight fun ction method are compared where possible, with existing solutions.