The dugdale solution for cracks at the edge of an elliptical hole in an infinite and finite plate

Abstract

Stress intensity factors for two symmetric cracks at the edge of an elliptical hole in an infinite and finite plate under a pair of point loadings are estimated by modifying the results for that of a circular hole in an infinite plate. By using the obtained solutions, favourable results have been deduced for the stress intensity factors and the crack surface profile of cracks emanating from an elliptical hole in an infinite and finite plate subjected to uniaxial tension. The Dugdale solutions for the plastic zone size and crack tip opening displacement are also derived in the present study. It is found that in an infinite plate the plastic zone size for an elliptical hole can be estimated by that for a circular hole and the crack tip opening displacement estimated by Wells' relation with crack length correction by Irwin's method. Solutions for the plastic zone size and crack tip opening displacement of cracks at the edge of a central elliptical hole in a finite width plate subjected to uniaxial tension are also presented.