An Evaluation of Finite Element Methods for the Computation of Elastic Stress Intensity Factors

Abstract

Since theoretical solutions for stress intensity factors are limited to very simple configurations, numerical approaches must be utilized. However such approximate procedures must first be verified on many simple configurations before they can be applied with confidence to complex structural details. This paper discusses the merits of several computational techniques based on the utilization of finite element direct stiffness method of analysis. Examples of the application of such methods to several simple axisymmetric and two-dimensional plane strain problems are presented.