Asymptotic Stresses around a Crack Tip at the Interface between Planar or Cylindrical Bodies

Closed-form equations are derived for the asymptotic stresses in the neighborhood of a crack tip impinging on an interface between two isotropic materials. The symmetric problem is considered and follows from an exact elasticity solution formulated by Gupta [1]. The equations are valid for the planar problem, where the interface is straight and also for an axisymmetric problem in the presence of an annular or penny-shaped crack. The equations may serve to establish a tentative criterion that defines the subsequent direction of a crack impinging on a bimaterial interface. The ambiguity of the asymptotic stress state is highlighted and plausible application of the results is discussed.