A two dimensional investigation on plates with oblique equal and unequal parallel edge cracks subjected to tension

Abstract

This paper reports on an attempt to investigate the stress intensity factors of equal and unequal oblique parallel edge cracks subjected to tension. The effects of the variation of the length of the cracks, angle of inclination, and crack spacings on the stress intensity factors (opening and sliding modes) were studied. Experimental observations show that, for crack spacings equal or larger than the length of the equal oblique parallel edge cracks, the size of the caustics for the cracks in the loaded specimen approach that of a single oblique edge crack with the same angle of inclination.