APPLICATION OF COMBINED-MODE FRACTURE CRITERIA TO SURFACE CRACK PROBLEMS

In this paper the maximum strain-energy release-rate criterion, the mimimum strain-energy density-factor criterion and the maximum normal-stress criterion have been applied to a finite-width plate with a semi-elliptical surface crack subjected to uniform tension and uniform shear at infinity. The conditions of the application of the three criteria to the surface crack problems have been given by the analysis and comparison of the theoretical solutions and the experimental results; the necessity of modifying the size of the plastic area has been discussed at small-scale yielding, and an approximate expression of critical loading of LC4CS finite width plate with a semi-elliptical-surface inclined crack under uniform tension has been presented.