Three-dimensional Greenʹs functions in anisotropic trimaterials

Three-dimensional elastostatic Green’s functions in anisotropic trimaterials are derived, for the first time, by applying the generalized Stroh’s formalism and Fourier transforms. The Green’s functions are expressed as a series summation with the first term corresponding to the full-space solution and other terms to the image solutions due to the interfaces. The most remarkable feature of the present solution is that the image solutions can be expressed by a simple line integral over a finite interval ½0; 2p . By partitioning the trimaterial Green’s function into a full-space solution and a complementary part, the line integral involves only regular functions if the singularity is within one of the three materials, being treated analytically owning to the explicit expression of the full-space solution. When the singularity is on the interface, which occurs if the field and source points are both on the same interface, the involved singularity is handled with the interfacial Green’s functions. A numerical example is presented for a trimaterial system made of two anisotropic half spaces bonded perfectly by an isotropic adhesive layer, showing clearly the effect of material layering on the Green’s displacements and stresses. Furthermore, by comparing the present Green’s solution to the direct (two-dimensional) 2D integral expression which is also derived in this paper, it is shown that, the computational time for the calculation of the Green’s function can be substantially reduced using the present solution, instead of the direct 2D integral method