Interface crack around circular inclusion: SIF, kinking, debonding energetics

The problem of an interfacial arc crack around a circular elastic inclusion embedded in an elastic matrix is examined. A general approach for generating uniform/non-uniform stress fields inside a test region through remotely applied point loads is demonstrated. The effects of stress gradient, arc crack angle, and elastic mismatch are discussed. Interfacial arc crack kinking is examined using the maximum tensile stress criterion only for such cases wherein the crack is open. Finally, the energetics of inclusion debonding is addressed for the specific case of hydrostatic loading.