Uniform stress field inside a non-parabolic open inhomogeneity interacting with a mode III crack

Using conformal mapping techniques, analytic continuation and the theory of Cauchy singular integral equations, we prove that a non-parabolic open inhomogeneity embedded in an elastic matrix subjected to a uniform remote anti-plane stress nevertheless admits an internal uniform stress field despite the presence of a finite mode III crack in its vicinity. Our analysis indicates that: (i) the internal uniform stress field is independent of the specific shape of the inhomogeneity and the presence of the finite crack; (ii) the existence of the finite crack plays a key role in the non-parabolic open shape of the inhomogeneity and in the non-uniform stresses in the surrounding matrix; (iii) the two-term asymptotic expansion at infinity of the stress field in the matrix is independent of the presence of the finite crack. Detailed numerical results are presented to demonstrate the proposed theory.