An experimental investigation into the mechanics of deep semielliptical surface cracks in mode i loading

Abstract

An experimental investigation was made of the surface deformation and extent of plastic yielding associated with relatively deep semielliptical surface cracks in plates subjected to tensile loading. Data were gathered from sheet Ti-6A1-4V and Fe-3Si, the latter material being employed to study, by the electrolytic etching technique, the plastic zones in various planes intersecting the crack. Available analytical models were applied to calculate the stress intensity factors, and the experimental data were used to examine various models for predicting plastic zone sizes.