STRESS-CONCENTRATION DUE TO A FINITE RIGID RIBBON IN THE PRESENCE OF A FINITE KINKED CRACK - SH CASE

In this paper we discuss the stress-concentration problem when a plane wave strikes a finite rigid ribbon in an infinite medium in the prese nce of an inclined (kinked) crack of finite length. Chebyshev polynomi al expansions are used for the solution of the governing integral equa tions which are singular and are not otherwise easily amenable for sim ple solution. Numerical results are included to give the effects of va rious parameters on the stress intensity factors particularly at the r igid ribbon ends. The model is chosen to provide some insight towards the stress states near the asperities (hard regions) that seems to pla y a significant role in seismic fault propagation in realistic media. The solution also incorporates possible rigid body motion of the inclu sion.