ASYMPTOTIC MODELS OF DILUTE COMPOSITES WITH IMPERFECTLY BONDED INCLUSIONS

The asymptotic scheme for the analysis of dilute elastic composites, w hich includes circular inclusions with imperfect bonding at the interf ace is presented. Interface is characterized by a discontinuous displa cement field across it, linearly related to the tractions. The problem of a linear-elastic, circular inclusion with generic loading conditio n at infinity is solved, and used to analyze effective elastic moduli of composite materials. Effects due to the interaction of a small circ ular defect and a crack are investigated It is shown that interfacial stiffness has a strong effect on the crack path and therefore maybe an important design parameter for composites. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.