Surface Crack in a Clamped Circular Plate Subjected to Uniform Lateral Pressure

Abstract

The bending of a clamped circular plate containing a surface crack along its edge is discussed. An approximate method of solution, which is based on the classical plate theory, is proposed to obtain the asymptotic behavior of bending stresses along the tip of the crack. The flexural rigidity of the plate is reduced by the crack. The distribution of bending stresses is therefore changed. A plate of nonuniform thickness is introduced which has the equivalent of the flexural rigidity of the cracked plate under consideration. The bending stress intensity factor is evaluated with the aid of the equivalent plate. It is found that the stress intensity factor increases with the crack depth for shallow cracks, and it decreases when the depth exceeds a certain value.