A rate-dependent model is used to represent the bridging forces acting acro
ss a fiber-bridged slit crack in a homogeneous anisotropic elastic material
, with the potential to characterize the inelastic behavior of bridged crac
ks in composites. The basic equilibrium equations are presented and solved,
using a series of Chebychev polynomials and a suitable approximation numer
ical scheme. An example of a bridged crack in an isotropic homogeneous mate
rial is examined in detail. Results show that, under a constant external lo
ad, the stress intensity factors and the energy release rate increase with
time until a critical time is reached, after which all these quantities app
roach the corresponding values for an unbridged crack. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sc
ience Ltd. All rights reserved.