Simulating Crack Trajectories from a radially loaded hole

A procedure for determining the trajectory of growth of a crack in the neig hbourhood of a stress-raising feature is described, The method relies on fi rst determining the underlying stress field, and then formulating an integr al equation along the (generally) curvilinear contour of the crack, which e nsures that its surfaces remain traction free. The crack tip stress intensi ties are calculated, from which an increment of growth is found using the s igma (max)(theta theta) criterion. The technique is then applied to the det ermination of the growth trajectory for a crack growing from a circular hol e loaded by pressing a pin against its boundary.