Predicting thermally induced edge-crack initiation using finite fracture mechanics

In temperature-loaded bi-material joints, highly localized stress concentrations occur at the bi-material junction at the free edge. This so-called free-edge effect may cause premature failure in form of an interface crack emanating from the free edge. In the present work, thermal crack initiation is investigated using a coupled stress and energy criterion within the framework of finite fracture mechanics by the example of a uniformly cooled...