Stress-intensity factors for a semi-infinite plane crack with a wavy front

The stress-intensity factors for a semi-infinite plane crack with a wavy front are determined when the crack faces are subjected to normal and shearing tractions. The results are derived using asymptotic methods and are valid to O(ε²) where ε=A/λ≪1; A is the amplitude and λ is the wavelength of the wavy front. The normal and shearing tractions are in the form of line loads "parallel" to the crack front. The results are then used to evaluate, in a qualitative manner, the growth characteristics of a semi-infinite plance crack with a wavy front under combined mode loading. This provides a possible explanation of crack front segmentation observed experimentally.