Linear thermoelastic problem of a uniform heat flow disturbed by an infinite row of parallel circumferential edge cracks along a cylindrical cavity

The linear thermoelastic problem concerning an infinite row of parallel circumferential edge cracks along a cylindrical cavity is investigated. Thermal stresses are caused by a uniform heat flow disturbed by the insulated cracks and the insulated cavity. The problem is formulated by means of integral transforms and is reduced to a singular integral equation of the first kind. The integral equation is solved by using numerical scheme of Erdogan, Gupta and Cook[8], and the variation of the stress-intensity factor due to the geometrical configuration is illustrated graphically. Calculations are also carried out for the stress-intensity factor in the case of a circumferential edge crack in a cylindrical cavity. This is accomplished by taking the limiting case of an infinite row of parallel circumferential edge cracks along a cylindrical cavity.