Mechanics of interface failure in the trilayer elastic composite

An exact analysis of the mechanics of interface failure is presented for a trilayer composite system consisting of geometrically and materially distinct linear elastic layers separated by straight nonlinear, uniform and nonuniform decohesive interfaces. The technical significance of this system stems from its utility in representing two slabs joined together by a third adhesive layer whose thickness cannot be neglected. The formulation, based on exact infinitesimal strain elasticity solutions for rectangular domains, employs a methodology recently developed by the authors to investigate both solitary defect as well as multiple defect interaction problems in layered systems under arbitrary loading. Interfacial integral equations, governing the normal and tangential displacement jump components at the interfaces, are solved for the uniformly loaded trilayer system. Interfacial defects, taken in the form of interface perturbations and nonbonded portions of interface, are modeled by coordinate dependent interface strengths. They are examined in a variety of configurations chosen so as to shed light on the various interfacial failure mechanisms active in layered systems.