Stress intensity factors for coalescing and single corner flaws along a hole bore in a plate

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to describe the effects of crack interaction on stress intensity factors for two symmetric coplanar corner flaws located along a hole bore. This numerical analysis employes the Finite Element-Alternating Method to determine Mode I stress intensity factors for single and coalescing corner flaws. Using single flaw stress intensity factors as a reference, analysis of crack size and shape effects on K I for coalescing corner flaws indicates the stress intensity factor for crack points along the hole bore increases as the crack tip separation distance decreases. Interaction effects are not experienced by hole bore crack points when the crack tip separation distance is equal to or greater than half of the largest corner flaw dimension.