Higher Order Singularities and Their Energetics in Elastic-Plastic Fracture

The higher order singularities[1] are systematically examined, and discussed are their complementarity relation with the nonsingular eigenfunctions and their relations to the configurational forces like J-integral and M-integral. By use of the so-called two state conservation laws[2] or interaction energy, originally proposed by Eshelby[3] and later treated by Chen and Shield[4], the intensities of the higher order singularities are calculated, and their roles in elastic-plastic fracture are investigated. Numerical examples are presented for illustration.