Crack closure effects in thermal fracture of functionally graded/homogeneous bimaterials with systems of cracks.

In the presented model the microstructure of a functionally graded material (FGM) is accounted in two ways: via FGM properties and by distributed small cracks which could be on grain boundaries of the material. The contribution to the solution of material gradation of FGM and of material structure reflected via geometry of distributed cracks is investigated. Besides, some additional effects arising due to possible crack closure and contact of crack surfaces are taken into account in the model and its contribution is also assessed. The goal of this investigation is to show these affects and to estimate the contribution on the SIFs of each of these, if they are strong or can be neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]