Stress intensity factors based fracture criteria for kinking and branchingof interface crack: application to dams

In this paper, the application of contour integral method (J. Elast. 8 ( 19 78) 21, On the marriage of fracture mechanics and mixed finite elements met hods: an applications to concrete dams, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Colorad o, 1993) for determination of bimaterial stress intensity factors in the ca se of crack lying between rock/concrete interface of gravity dam is shown u sing the concepts of linear elastic fracture mechanics. The kinking angle o f the interface crack is computed based on the maximum circumferential stre ss criteria. Criteria for branching are proposed [Appendix]. (C) 2000 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.