Full field solution for remotely loaded one side completely debonded short rigid line inclusion embedded in soft matrix: 2D Analytical and Experimental insights

The problem of a completely debonded short fiber (rigid line inclusion/anticrack) embedded in a 2D isotropic elastic soft-matrix subjected to the remote loading condition is of fundamental interest. The current work investigates completely debonded anticrack embedded in a soft (isotropic) matrix using Kolosov Muskhelisvili's complex potential framework. Here two configurations are studied: debonded inclusion oriented (i) parallel and (ii) perpendicular to the loading direction. In particular, the potentials take the form of a non-homogeneous Riemann - Hilbert equation for the given problem. Upon solving analytical forms of potentials, the stress fields were obtained. The stress field for the fully debonded anticrack exhibited oscillatory singular behavior between r^(-3/4) and r^(-1/4) with the dependence on the oscillatory index e and material constants. The correctness of the analytical solution was validated using numerical simulation and experiments based on the digital photoelasticity technique. The analytical results were in good agreement with the experimental and numerically obtained stress fields confirming the accuracy of it. The magnitude of singularity is quantified by defining a complex stress intensity factor at the tip of the discontinuity and compared with the experimentally estimated value. So far in the literature, no full-field analytical solution exists for the completely debonded rigid inclusion embedded in an isotropic soft matrix. The solution obtained in the present work is of fundamental importance in developing the constitutive properties of short fiber reinforced thermoplastic (SFRT) composites.