CLOSURE OF A THROUGH CRACK IN A PLATE UNDER BENDING

A plate with a pre-existent through crack is considered under the acti on of a remote bending moment and a remote in-plane force. The problem statement is reduced to the solution of two coupled integral equation s with strongly singular kernels. The independent variables in the lat ter equations are the closure displacement and rotation angle. The cor responding closure force and moment distributions, and the contact-cra ck opening boundary (the closure perimeter), are found as functions of the remote bending-compression ratio. The validity of previously stat ed analytical asymptotics for the contact boundary is examined. The de pendence of the extent of closure on the crack length-to-thickness rat io is studied. Comparisons are made with experimental results. (C) 199 8 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.