| Abstract: | Recent precise, elastic numerical solutions to a surface flaw in a plate under remote tension and bending have been compared to arrive at a ‘best estimate’ of the stress-intensity-factor variation along the flaw border. The geometry of the semielliptical surface flaw examined had a depth to length ratio of 0.25 (a/2c=0.25) and 25- and 75-percent relative crack depths (a/t=0.25, 0.75). The analysis methods used to determine the solutions included: Schwarz alternating technique, finite-element method and boundary-integral-equation method. The derived best-estimate curve for the stress-intensity factor is believed within 3 percent of the actual value along the crack front. The best-estimate curve compared well with scarce experimental data (±10 percent). The difference between the best-estimate curve and experiment is thought largely due to differences in geometry and Poisson's ratio. |
