The point where the front of a 3-D crack intersects a free surface is called “corner point”. The ordinary elastic crack tip stress singularity of
rλ is λ=−0.5. However, with regard to the stress singularity at the corner point there are several different theories. This paper concerns the detailed analysis of the stress singularity at the corner point for a through crack and a semi-circular crack under Mode II loading. According to the theories by Benthem and others, not only
KII but also
KIII has a non-zero value at a corner point which, however, contradicts the stress-free boundary condition of the free surface. The FEM analysis of the present study based on the careful meshing and accurate determination of singularity (λ) answers this paradox on the corner point singularity. The answer is that, although the value of
KIII increases as the crack front approaches the corner point, the domain of non-zero value of
KIII decreases to an infinitesimal value and accordingly the influence of
KIII can be ignored at the corner point. Similarly, the domain of the singular stress field with λ≠−0.5 and λ=−0.6∼−0.5 also decreases as the crack front approaches the corner point. These conclusions should be considered when fracture criterion at a corner point under mixed-mode loadings is used.
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