Singular integral equations with two fixed singularities and applications to fractured composites

Abstract: A symmetric characteristic singular integral equation with two fixed singularities at the endpoints in the class of functions bounded at the ends is analyzed. It reduces to a vector Hilbert problem for a half-disc and then to a vector Riemann-Hilbert problem on a real axis with a piecewise constant matrix coefficient that has two points of discontinuity. A condition of solvability and a closed-form solution to the integral equation are derived. For the Chebyshev polynomials of the first kind in the right hand-side, the solution of the integral equation is expressed in terms of two nonorthogonal polynomials with associated weights. Based on this new generalized spectral relation for the singular operator with two fixed singularities an approximate solution to the complete singular integral equation is derived by recasting it as an infinite system of linear algebraic equations of the second kind. The method is illustrated by solving two problems of fracture mechanics, the antiplane and plane strain problems for a finite crack in a composite plane. The plane is formed by a strip and two half-planes; the elastic constants of the strip are different from those of the half-planes. The crack is orthogonal to the interfaces, and it is located in the strip with the ends lying in the interfaces. Numerical results are reported and discussed.