Stress-Intensity Factors for Corner Cracks at the Edge of a Hole

Stress-intensity factors, calculated by a three-dimensional finite-element analysis, for shallow or deep quarter-elliptical corner cracks at the edge of a hole in a finite-thickness plate are presented. The plate was subjected to remote uniform tension, remote bending, or simulated pin loading in the hole. The crack depth-to-plate thickness ranged from 0.2 to 0.8, while the ratio of crack depth-to-plate crack length ranged from 0.2 to 2. The ratio of hole radius-to-plate thickness was held at 0.5. To verify the accuracy of the three-dimensional finite-element models empolyed, convergence studies were conducted (number of degrees of freedom ranged from 4400 to 9300). The stress-intensity factor variations along the crack front are presented and compared with other solutions from the literature