Stress concentration factor analysis of countersunk holes using finite element analysis and response surface methodology

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this paper, finite element analysis and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to analyse and study the stress concentration factor (SCF) of a uniaxially loaded isotropic plate with a centrally placed countersunk hole. In this study, the finite element (FE) model was built in ANSYS and employed to generate SCF values. This FE model was first optimised in terms of mesh properties and then validated with literature data. Using RSM, the effect of the plate and countersunk hole geometries, which was implemented by four dimensionless parameters, on the SCF was presented. Additionally, as suggested by RSM and using ordinary least squared method, a high-accuracy second order equation to predict the SCF value based on the non-dimensional geometric factors was formulated. Finally, this paper suggests an optimum plate and countersunk design geometries to minimise the SCF in countersunk holes in isotropic plates.