Abstract
A straight-forward method for calculating the stress intensity factors (or the energy release rate and mode mixity) for interfacial cracks in bi-materials has been developed. An existing method for homogeneous materials, based on the computation of the energy release rate from the nodal forces and displacements given by a finite element analysis, was modified to include the mismatch in material properties. Thick thermal barrier coatings usually fail as a result of cracking near the interface. The influence of the thickness and the edge angle of the coating on the energy release rate and mode mixity for a small edge crack at the interface of a TBC system subjected to thermal loading was investigated. It was established that the high energy release rates obtained for thick coatings can be reduced by decreasing the edge angle of the coating. Additionally a comparison with energy release rates given by J-integral computations has been done.
