Analysis on interaction of numerous microcracks

A novel numerical method is proposed in this paper to consider the interaction of microcracks when their number is large. To determine the stress intensity factors of a microcrack surrounded by numerous or even countless microcracks, the solid is divided into two regions. The interaction of the microcracks in an elliptical or circular subregion around the considered microcrack is calculated directly by using a micromechanics method, whereas the influence of all other microcracks is incorporated by appropriately modifying the far-field stress. This simplified scheme yields a satisfactorily accurate estimate of stress intensity factors, and then provides an efficient tool for analyzing some deformation and failure phenomena associated with microcracking damage. As an example of its various potential applications, this method is used to determine the effective elastic moduli of a solid containing either uniformly or non-uniformly microcracks.