MIXED-MODE STRESS INTENSITY CALIBRATIONS FOR AN ANGLED CRACK BEND SPECIMEN

Test specimens with angled or inclined cracks are frequently used to i nvestigate mixed mode fatigue and fracture properties. A full three-di mensional (3-D) linear elastic finite element stress analysis has been performed for a beam with an angled single edge crack subjected to th ree-point bend loading. Crack angles of 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 deg rees, and 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the beam have been co nsidered. The resulting geometric correction terms to the linear elast ic fracture mechanics (LEFM) mode I, II, and III stress intensity fact ors are presented.