On the Elastic and Viscous Properties of Media Containing Strongly Interacting In-plane Cracks

Abstract.

—We calculate elastic moduli and viscosities for media containing strongly interacting in-plane shear cracks. The cracks are randomly oriented or aligned, with equal length or a logarithmic size distribution. Our results from both a boundary element and a finite-element method suggest that the average moduli are best approximated by a differential, self-consistent model (DEM). Thus crack-to- crack interaction, which is considered in the DEM model, is important at high crack densities. This result seems to be different to results obtained from numerical experiments with highly fractured anti-plane shear cracks.