Abstract
In this communication we analyze the mechanical equilibrium of an edge dislocation dipole near a crack tip. Based on the stress formula of a single edge dislocation, we obtain the stress field and strain energy of an edge dipole. The image force and image torque on edge dipole are derived from the strain energy. We investigate the mechanical equilibrium of edge dipole on different conditions. A comparison of mechanical equilibrium of edge dipole with mechanical equilibrium of edge and screw monopoles is made. © 1992 Kluwer Academic Publishers.