ON SINGULAR STRESS AT THE CRACK-TIP OF A THICK PLATE UNDER INPLANE LOADING

By superposition of three asymptotic solutions, which collectively sat isfy all the equilibrium and compatibility equations as well as bounda ry conditions, the three-dimensional crack tip stresses of a thick pla te with a through-the-thickness cut are shown to be of square root sin gularity throughout the thickness. The near tip deformation is shown t o be plane strain with stress intensity factor changing in the thickne ss direction. All components of the singular stresses vanish on plate surfaces. The profile of the stress intensity factor in the thickness direction cannot be determined by the asymptotic analysis alone.