Abstract

The solution to problem of a Volterra-type screw dislocation in an orthotropic bar with rectangular cross section is first obtained by means of a finite Fourier cosine transform. The bar is under axial torque which is governed by the Saint-Venant torsion theory. The series solution is then derived for displacement and stress fields in the bar cross section. The dislocation solution is employed to derive a set of Cauchy sin-gular integral equations for the analysis of curved cracks. The solution to these equations is used to deter-mine the torsional rigidity of bar and the stress intensity factors (SIFs) for the tips of the cracks. Several examples of a single straight crack and an arc-crack are solved. Furthermore, the interaction between two cracks is studied. Finally, the stress components around an inclined edge crack tip are used to define the boundary of the plastic region employing von Mises yield criterion.