Analysis of HRR Stress Field at the Three-Dimensional Crack Tip : 2nd Report, HRR Field of Surface Crack Problem

Abstract

Surface-cracked specimens are analyzed precisely using the three-dimensional finite element method, and the stress fields at the crack tip are compared with HRR solution. First, a plate with a surface crack subjected to a bending load is analyzed. It is shown that the stress field does not agree well with the HRR solution when the crack depth is not large. But as the crack depth increases, the stress field becomes nearer to the HRR solution. It is also shown that a displacement field similar to the HRR solution exists in a small region wheich is very near to the crack tip. Then the surface crack in a pipe is analyzed. The results show that the stress field is significantly different from the HRR solution. The reason for this difference is considered to be the difference of the stress distribution in the ligament of the specimen.