Stress Intensity Factor for Multiply Edge-Cracked Plate with Finite Width

Abstract

A series of finite element analyses were performed for a multiply edge-cracked plate with finite width subjected to a concentrated load at a point on the crack surface. The ratio of crack length to plate width a/W was varied in a range from 0.1 to 0.9. Stress intensity factor K was evaluated by means of the virtual crack extension method. Calculated K values were correlated with the equation proposed by Hartranft et al for a single edge cracked semi-infinite plate. K values of a multiple edge cracked plate with finite width subjected to uniform remote tensile stress were evaluated using the present results and compared with the values proposed by Bowie for a multiply edge cracked semi-infinite plate. The validity of K values database calculated in this study was shown by this comparison.