A Distortion Energy Failure Theory for Orthotropic Materials

Abstract

Of the numerous methods developed to predict failure of isotropic materials exposed to a three-dimensional state of stress, experimental studies tend to confirm the validity of the distortional energy theory. To date no rational basis of predicting inelastic action in an orthotropic material exposed to principle stresses coincident with the material axes has been proposed. This study assumes that distortion energy may be used to predict failure of orthotropic materials, and a usable algebraic method of predicting failure is developed.