Stress-Intensity Factors for a Surface Crack in a Finite Solid

Abstract

A solution to the problem of a circular crack partially embedded in a solid of finite thickness is presented. A superposition and iteration technique is used to determine the stress-intensity factor numerically. The stress-intensity factor is determined as a function of position around the crack front for a variety of crack depths. The results of this study are compared with experimental data for a semielliptical surface flaw in a brittle material.