A Quadrature Approach for N-Collinear Crack Problem in an Orthotropic Strip

Abstract

This study presents the determination of the stress intensity factors (SIFs) at the edges of the cracks in an elastic strip weakened by N-collinear cracks. The problem of an orthotropic elastic strip is reduced to a system of Cauchy type singular integral equations. The system of singular integral equations is approached by a Quadrature technique. Under two different loading conditions, the results are obtained for the different cases of crack numbers. The resistance of the strip is examined by considering the orthotropic properties of the strip material. Finally, the crack interactions are clarified during the analysis.