Stress singularities in anisotropic multi-material wedges and junctions

The general problem of stress singularities in anisotropic multi-material wedges and junctions due to geometric and material discontinuities is investigated. The anisotropic wedges and junctions discussed here comprise two or three materials with different geometric configurations and different material properties. The interfaces in multi-material junctions are either all perfectly bonded or a disbond is introduced along one interface. The order of stress singularities is obtained by solving the characteristic equations that are developed from the boundary conditions of the problem. Numerical examples for the order of stress singularities are given for the general problem including two and three-material wedges, a crack terminating at an interface between two materials, bonded and disbonded two and three-material junctions as well. An "extra" root of the characteristic equations in addition to three roots corresponding to higher singular stresses is observed for the cases of disbonded anisotropic two and three-material junctions. The stress singularities affected by geometric configurations and material properties of anisotropic materials are also investigated. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.