Thermal stresses in a bimaterial periodically layered composite due to the presence of interface cracks or rigid inclusions

The state of thermal stresses for a periodic two-layered elastic space weakened by an interface Griffith crack or a ribbon-like absolutely rigid inclusion is investigated. The analysis is performed within the framework of linear thermoelasticity with microlocal parameters. The resulting thermoelastic problems have been reduced to their mechanical counterparts. The stress singularities as well as the effects of the layering are discussed within the framework of the theory of fracture mechanics.