Interaction laws and mechanisms of the multiple unequal cracks on the two coaxial interfaces in a tri-layered multiferroic semi-cylinder

Mode III fracture analysis is performed on the multiple unequal interfacial cracks in a tri-layered multiferroic semi-cylinder by the methods of dislocation simulation, Green’s function and Cauchy singular integral equation. Based on the parametric studies on the numerical results of stress intensity factor (SIF), the interaction laws of the cracks, especially the local oscillation phenomenon of the SIF curves, are revealed, and the boundary effect, the shielding effect and the interference effect are employed to interpret the underlying mechanisms. The obtained results can provide theoretical references to the anti-fracture optimal design of this kind of smart structures.