<> "The repository administrator has not yet configured an RDF license."^^ . <> . . . "Numerical modelling of microcracking in PV modules induced by thermo-mechanical loads "^^ . "Abstract Micro-cracking in polycrystalline Silicon is a serious concern for the durability of photovoltaic (PV) modules due to the resulting electrical power-loss. In this contribution, a thermo-mechanical cohesive zone model is proposed to predict the evolution of micro-cracks under the action of mechanical and thermal loads. The classical nonlinear cohesive zone approach, used in fracture mechanics to depict the phenomenon of cracking as a result of progressive breakage of atomic bonds, is extended to thermo-elastic fields. The additional thermal resistance of micro-cracks due to imperfect bonding is estimated according to an analogy with a contact mechanics formulation, where the dependency on the crack opening is suitably accounted for. A numerical example shows the applicability of the proposed approach to practical problems. "^^ . "2013" . "38" . . "Elsevier"^^ . . . "Energy Procedia"^^ . . . "18766102" . . . . . . . . . . "Marco"^^ . "Paggi"^^ . "Marco Paggi"^^ . . "Alberto"^^ . "Sapora"^^ . "Alberto Sapora"^^ . . . . . "HTML Summary of #2044 \n\nNumerical modelling of microcracking in PV modules induced by thermo-mechanical loads \n\n" . "text/html" . . . "TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery"@en . .