Stress gradient calculations at notches

Calculations of the relative stress gradient ahead of notches are presented . Attention has been focused on finite width plates under tension weakened either by a central hole or by two semicircular lateral notches. In this pa per stress field solutions given by Neuber as well as analytical solutions in the form of power series expansions, given by Howland (central hole) and Ling (semicircular notches), have been employed in the derivation of the s tress gradient. Comparisons have been made with gradient calculations deriv ed from approximate stress field formulas developed by Xu et al. (Practical stress expressions for stress concentration regions. Fatigue Fract Eng Mat er Struct 1995;18(7/8)885-95) and by Glinka and Newport (Universal features of elastic notch-tip stress fields. Int J Fatigue 1987;9(3):143-50). It is shown that the effect of the finite dimensions of the specimen on the stre ss gradient is correctly captured only if exact analytical solutions are em ployed. The results presented in this paper are useful for calculating the stress intensity factors for cracks growing in notches and to assess the fa tigue strength of notched components. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.