Small scale nonlinear analysis of electrostrictive crack problems (Q1968682)

The author investigates the asymptotic problem of a semi-infinite crack in an electrostrictive ceramic material under electric loading. This leads to a relation between electric and the stress intensity factors, a relation that is established by the author under small-scale nonlinear conditions. Both cases of a conducting crack and an insulating crack are considered. It turns out that the electric field intensity factor uniquely characterizes the conditions at the crack tip. It is also shown that the energy release rate for the insulating crack does not always assume negative values, in contrast to the linear theory.