In-plane periodic excitation of cracked layers

Stress analysis is carried out in an isotropic layer weakened by cracks parallel to its center-line subjected to periodic loads. The analysis is based on harmonic solution of the problem and Fourier series expansion of a periodic function. The harmonic problem is solved by means of distributed dislocation technique. The procedure allows the consideration of a layer with any number of horizontal cracks. Stress intensity factors (SIFs) are obtained for an offcenter crack under different period loads. Effects of shape and period of loading on SIFs are investigated and the importance of the critical frequency of the cracked layer on its response is demonstrated.