A penny-shaped interfacial crack between piezoelectric layer and elastic half-space

An interfacial penny-shaped crack between piezoelectric layer and elastic half-space subjected to mechanical and electric loads is investigated. Using Hankel transform technique, the mixed boundary value problem is reduced to a system of singular integral equations. The integral equations are further reduced to a system of algebraic equations with the aid of Jacobi polynomials. The stress intensity factor and energy release rate are determined. Numerical results reveal the effects of electric loadings and material parameters of composite on crack propagation and growth. The results seem useful for design of the piezoelectric composite structures and devices of high performance.