GROWTH AND STABILITY OF CRACKS IN CIRCULAR SECTIONS UNDER BENDING AND AXIAL LOADS.

Abstract

Crack growth of a semi-elliptical inside crack in a circular section is analysed using the stress intensity factor approach. The section is subjected to bending and axial fatigue loads. The semi-elliptical crack has three degrees of freedom and remains a semi-ellipse until it turns into a through-wall crack, thereafter the crack has two degrees of freedom. The limit capacity of the cracked section under an axial force and a bending moment which has an arbitrary orientation with respect to the crack is derived. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the approach.