THE ASSESSMENT OF FLAWS IN A HIGH-STRESS CONCENTRATION REGION

The assessment of flaws in a stress concentration region (SCR) has bee n a difficult problem; there are a few references which deal with the problem in detail. CEGB/H/R6-Rev. 3 generalized the Ainsworth's J-inte gral method of reference stress to assess flaws in SCR. The present pa per presents in detail FEM results on the double-edge cracks along a c entral hole. Based on the above results, we argue that R6-Rev. 3 optio n 1 and 2 curves are dangerous when they are used in the analysis of c racks in SCRs. The assessment of such structures should be carried out making use of option 3. Options 2 and 1 should be modified according to a proposal made in this paper (factor modified method) to assess an y cracks in SCR.