Axisymmetric problem for a spherical crack on the interface of elastic media

Abstract

A problem concerning a spherical interfacial crack is solved by the eigenfunction method. The problem is reduced to a coupled system of dual-series equations in terms of Legendre functions and then to a system of singular integral equations for two unknown functions. The behaviour of the solution near the edge of the spherical crack, and the stress-intensity factors and crack-opening displacement are studied. The case when the crack surfaces are under normal internal pressure of constant intensity is examined.