Analysis of stress concentration factors for stepped plates based on a crack tip stress intensity approach

Abstract

The analytical equations given for stress concentration factors are based on the results of finite element analysis of stepped plates subject to uniaxial tension loading. The fillet radii at the stepped transitions were varied over a wide range, leading to elastic stress concentration factors between 1.1 and 8.3 (net stress basis).

The parametric equations depend on the previously described concept of a ‘notch configuration factor’. This is similar to the crack configuration factor or compliance function used to modify the basic crack tip stress intensity solutions in the case of finite width or other problems.

In the present case of the stepped plate, an energy approach was used to relate the sharp corner stress field to the corresponding sharp crack field, leading to a ‘sharp corner configuration factor’. This factor was then applied to the equation for the stress concentration factor at an elliptical hole in an infinite plate, to give a simple analytical expression for the stepped plate with a radiused fillet. The basic expression was refined further to improve the quality of fit, to an accuracy of 2 per cent with respect to the finite element models.