Concepts of Separated J-Integrals, Separated Energy Release Rates, and the Component Separation Method of the J-Integral for Interfacial Fracture Mechanics

Abstract

First, this paper presents the concepts of separated J-integrals and separated energy release rates. The path-independent separated J-integrals have the physical significance of energy flows into an interfacial crack tip from adjacent individual material sides or, equivalently, separated energy release rates. Thus, the J-integral and the energy release rate can be evaluated by the sum of the path-independent separated J-integrals. Second, the relations between the separated J-integrals and the stress intensity factors are derived. Third, the component separation method of the J-integral is extended for interfacial crack problems to allow accurate evaluation of the stress intensity factors. Finally, pertinent numerical analyses are carried out to demonstrate the usefulness of the separated J-integrals and the component separation method.