Crack deflection and interface debonding in composite materials elucidated by the configuration force theory

A general, approximate solution for the configuration force (CF) between crack and an inclusion of arbitrary shape is developed. The solution is obtained by treating an inhomogeneous inclusion as a homogeneous one with transformation strain according to Eshelby equivalent inclusion theory. Then the CF associated with the transformation is computed from the work done during the transformation, which is taken as driving force for crack deflection and interfacial debonding in composite materials. The present solution provides a novel approach to interpret the important phenomenology of the crack deflection and interfacial debonding observed in composite materials.