Analysis of embedded and surface elliptical flaws in transversely isotropic bodies by the finite element alternating method

The general analytical solution to the problem of a flat elliptical crack embedded in an infinite, transversely isotropic solid, oriented perpendicular to the axis of elastic symmetry, is derived along the lines of Vijayakumar and Atluri’s solution procedure for the isotropic case. The prior work of Kassir and Sih on this problem is limited to some constant and linear variations of normal and shear tractions on the crack face. The generalized solution is employed in the Schwarz-Neumann alternating method in conjunction with the finite element method. Such a method of analysis is shown to be an efficient way to evaluate the stress intensity factors along the flaw border.