ELASTIC PLASTIC FINITE-ELEMENT ANALYSES OF CRACKED NOTCHES IN PLATES UNDER MIXED-MODE LOADING

Plates containing inclined elliptical notches with and without cracks are analysed for five different major axis inclinations, namely, theta equal to 0, 11.25, 22.5, 33.75 and 45-degrees. Short cracks emanating from the roots of such inclined circular and elliptical notches are analysed. Under various mixed-mode loading conditions, when cracks are present, a simple method is described for the evaluation of the Mode I and Mode II stress intensity factors, for the elastic state. Values of the J integral along three different contours are also evaluated in the elastic and elastic-plastic states, as well as the Mode I and Mode II components of the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD), the maximum principal stresses, the maximum average equivalent plastic strains and the location of the elements in which they occur. Comparisons of the different loading conditions are presented and the implications of the effects of mixed-mode loading on fracture and fatigue crack propagation are discussed.