In-plane stress analysis of an orthotropic plane containing multiple defects

The solution of Volterra type climb and glide edge dislocations is utilized to formulate integral equations for an orthotropic homogeneous infinite plane weakened by multiple smooth cracks and/or cavities. Cavities are considered as closed curved cracks without singularity. The integral equations are of Cauchy singular type which are converted to hypersingular integral equations. These equations are then solved numerically to determine stress intensity factors for cracks and hoop stress on the cavities. The results for isotropic and orthotropic planes are compared with available solutions in literature and excellent agreement is observed. The formulation allows stress analysis of orthotropic planes with several arbitrarily oriented cracks and cavities.