Mode I and mixed mode fields with incomplete crack tip plasticity

Plane strain slip line fields, in which plasticity does not fully surround the crack tip have been developed for mode I and mixed mode I/II cracks und er contained yielding. Analytical solutions have been assembled using slip line theory for the plastic sectors and semi-infinite wedge solutions for t he elastic sectors. These solutions are compared with finite element soluti ons based on modified boundary layer formulations. The analytical solutions agree well with numerical solutions, and form a family of fields with inco mplete plasticity around the crack tip. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.