Fredholm integral equation for the multiple circular arc crack problem in plane elasticity

Summary An elementary solution for the multiple circular arc problem is obtained in this paper. The elementary solution is defined as a particular case of the single circular arc crack problem, in which remote stresses are equal to zero, and two pairs of concentrated forces are applied at a prescribed point of crack face. By using the principle of superposition, Fredholm integral equation for the multiple circular arc problem in plane elasticity is obtained. The suggested approach is illustrated by several numerical examples. If a smaller arc crack is surrounded by a larger arc crack, the stress intensity factors for the former become rather small. The phenomenon of shielding is illustrated by examples.