Driving force analysis in an infinite anisotropic plate with multiple crack interactions

The methodology and a rigorous solution formulation are presented for stress intesity factors (SIF's, k) and total strain energy release rates (SERR, GT) of a multicracked plate, that has fully interacting cracks and is subjected to a far-field arbitrary stress state. The fundamental perturbation problem is derived, and the steps needed to formulate the system of singular integral equations whose solution gives rise to the evaluation of the SIF's are identified. Parametric studies are conducted for two, three and four crack problems. The sensitivity and characteristics of the model is demonstrated.