A NEW APPROACH TO FIND THE STRESS-DISTRIBUTION FOR AN ARBITRARY SHAPEOF INHOMOGENEITY

A new method for solving arbitrary-shaped inhomogeneity problems has b een developed. The approach combines boundary integral equations, base d on Betti's princple, with a sequence of cutting, straining, and weld ing procedures to numerically acquire stress and strain distributions at an inhomogeneity with an arbitrary shape. Physically, the strain mi sfit is considered as the driving force to cause the stress concentrat ion when a system comprised of an infinite domain and an inhomogeneity is subjected to a far-field stress. A general discussion of the effec t of the inhomogeneity shape on fracture initiation has been included.