An improved numerical method for computation of stress intensity factors along 3D curved non-planar cracks in FGMs

A simplified strategy based on the interaction energy integral is implemented in the finite element framework to evaluate mixed mode Stress Intensity Factors (SIFs) in 3D non-planar cracks. The proposed approach does not require any a priori information about crack front and crack surface curvatures, therefore different arbitrary non-planar cracks can be easily investigated. In particular, both conical and lens-shaped cracks in homogeneous materials are considered as case studies in order to demonstrate the accuracy of the present approach. Finally, the computational strategy is extended to Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) and the effect of graded material properties (Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio) on the SIFs is studied in detail.