Evaluation of T‐stresses in multiple crack problems of finite plate

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper provides a solution for T‐stresses for multiple cracks in a finite plate. The results for stress intensity factors (SIFs) are also presented. The case of two cracks in a rectangular plate is taken as an example. In the problem, the crack faces are applied by some loadings, and tractions are free along edges of a rectangular plate. The whole stress field is considered as a superposition of three particular stress fields. The first and second stress fields are initiated by loadings on the first and second crack faces in an infinite plate. The third field is chosen in a polynomial form of complex potentials. After discretization, the loadings on two cracks and the undetermined coefficients in the complex potentials become the unknowns. The relevant algebraic equations are formulated. The solution of algebraic equations will lead to the results of SIFs and T‐stresses at the crack tips. Several numerical examples are presented, which were not reported previously.