Crack tip energy release rate for a piezoelectric compact tension specimen

A theoretical fracture mechanics for brittle piezoelectric materials is summarized consistent with standard features of elasticity and dielectricity. The influence of electric field and mechanical loading is considered in this approach and a Griffith style energy balance is used to establish the relevant energy release rates. Finite element results are given for a compact tension specimen having properties consistent with the piezoelectric material PZT-4. The influence of the crack opening displacement on the electric field adjacent to the crack is considered. Observations of fracture behavior in a compact tension specimen composed of PZT-4 obtained by park and Sun (J. Amer. Ceram. Sec. 1995;78:1475-1480) are used to assess the relevance of the theoretical results. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.