7. Conclusions

In this chapter we have discussed the simulation of cracks in a FGM plate has been carried out in the presence of multiple inhomogeneities by XFEM using both linear elastic as well as elasticplastic formulations. SIF has been calculated at the tip of the major crack using interaction integral approach. The variation in the SIF at the tip of the major crack has been studied when multiple inhomogeneities are present in the domain. From this study it is observed that minor cracks have least effect in the FGM plate's failure crack length, whereas soft inclusions have moderate effect and holes have the most severe effect. It is found that the FGM plate's life increases in each case when soft inclusions are replaced by hard inclusions. Hence the presence of the hard inclusions in the plate increases the failure crack length of the plate i.e. plate survives more.
