Stress intensity factors for surface cracks in single‐edge notch bend specimen by a three‐dimensional weight function method

Abstract

Abstract Stress intensity factors for half‐elliptical surface cracks at a semi‐circular notch in a recently developed single‐edge notch bend specimen are determined for a wide range of geometrical parameters using a three‐dimensional weight function method. Two load cases of pin loading and uniform remote tension are considered. The results are in good agreement with abaqus/franc3d finite element analysis. It is found that the Ziegler–Newman engineering similitude approach (programmed into the Fatigue Crack Growth Structural Analysis life‐prediction code) produces good results for a wide range in a / c ratios. Expressions by multi‐variable curve fitting to the weight function results are presented for easy engineering applications.