Stress Intensity Factors around Two Cracks Placed Symmetrically with Respect to a Large Crack in an Elastic Strip.

Abstract

Stress intensity factors around three cracks, which are situated perpendicular to the stress-free surfaces of an infinite elastic strip, have been determined. Two cracks which are small and of equal length, are placed ahead of a large crack so as to allow for geometrical symmetry. To solve the problem, two solutions are combined. One of them is a solution for a center crack in an infinite strip and the other is that for two collinear cracks in an infinite strip. The Schmidt method is used to satisfy the boundary conditions on the crack surfaces, while the conditions at the plane surfaces are satisfied with use of the Fourier transform method. Stress intensity factors are calculated numerically for some of these crack configurations. Stress Intensity Factor, Three Cracks, Strip, Schmidt Method, Integral Equation, Fracture Mechanics