Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM)

A comparison between six models, calculating stress intensity factor (SIF) mode I for central cracked plate with uniform tensile stress, is made in order to select the suitable model. These models are three theoretical models (i.e. classical model) and three numerical models. The three numerical models are half ANSYS model, quarter ANSYS model (finite element method) and weight function model. The geometry of the cracked plate (the width of the plate, the length of the plate and the crack length) and applied stress are the parameters that used to compare between the models. The three theoretical models can recognize the effect of the width of the plate, the crack length and applied stress but they failed to recognize the effect of the length of the plate. The three numerical models are success to recognize the effect of geometry and loading parameters. But the half ANSYS model gives a different response to the variation of the (H/W) ratio and that occurs due to finding the stress intensity factor (SIF) mode II. This leads to select the quarter ANSYS model as a suitable model calculating stress intensity factor (SIF) mode I for central cracked plate with uniform tensile stress