Stress intensity factors for functionally graded solid cylinders

This paper presents the mode I stress intensity factors for functionally gr aded solid cylinders with an embedded penny-shaped crack or an external cir cumferential crack. The solid cylinders are assumed under remote uniform te nsion. The multiple isoparametric finite element method is used. Various ty pes of functionally graded materials and different gradient compositions fo r each type are investigated. The results show that the material property d istribution has a quite considerable in influence on the stress intensity f actors. The influence for embedded cracks is quite different from that for external cracks. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.