A crack near the interface of bonded elastic-viscoelastic planes

The plane problem for bonded elastic-viscoelastic half planes containing an arbitrarily oriented crack in the vicinity of the interface is investigate d. By using the Laplace transformation, the viscoelastic problem is first r educed to an associated elastic one. The complex function method is used to solve the associated elastic problem. Then, the solution of viscoelastic p roblem is obtained by using the inverse Laplace transformation of the assoc iated elastic results. The fracture parameters, such as the stress intensit y factors and strain energy release rates, and the probable directions of c rack propagation are determined for various crack orientation and distance from the interface. The effect of elastic-viscoelastic interface on a crack approaching it from either medium is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.