Anticrack in a transversely isotropic space

An absolutely rigid inclusion (anticrack) embedded in an unbound transversely isotropic elastic solid with the axis of elastic symmetry normal to the inclusion plane is considered. A general method of solving the anticrack problem is presented. Effective results have been achieved by constructing the appropriate harmonic potentials. With the use of the Fourier transform technique, the governing system of two-dimensional equations of Newtonian potential type for the stress jump functions on the opposite surfaces of the inclusion is obtained. For illustration, a complete solution to the problem of a penny-shaped anticrack under perpendicular tension at infinity is given and discussed from the point of view of material failure.