Numerical solution for multiple crack problems of torsion bar Original Research Article

Multiple crack problems for torsion bar are studied in this paper. The boundary value problem is reduced to the solution of a Dirichlet problem of Laplace equation. The finite difference method is suggested to solve the Dirichlet problem. Meantime, the torsion rigidity coefficient can be evaluated numerically. The inverse of the torsion rigidity coefficient is called the compliance coefficient. With the knowledge of the compliance coefficient, the stress intensity factor (SIF) can be evaluated. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the use of the proposed method. Interaction effects between the cracks are investigated.