CALCULATION OF ELASTOPLASTIC STRAINS AND STRESSES IN NOTCHES UNDER MULTIAXIAL LOADING

A method for calculating elasto-plastic notch tip strains and stresses in bodies subjected to multiaxial loading has been presented. The met hod has been formulated in terms of strain energy density relationship s. Two approximate formulae are derived based on the analysis of strai n energy density in the notch tip region. The two formulae represent t he lower and upper limits of the band within which the actual elasto-p lastic notch tip strains can be found. All necessary relationships are derived for a general multiaxial stress state. The calculated notch r ip strain and stress components are compared with experimental and fin ite element data obtained for a variety of loading conditions and mate rials. This method may be particularly useful for stress/strain analys is of notched components subjected to lengthy multiaxial cyclic loadin g histories.