Crack propagation in cylindrical shells

Results of a theoretical study of dynamic steady crack propagation in a circular cylindrical shell are presented. Equations of thin circular cylindrical shells are utilized for theoretical investigation. The semi-analytic crack tip stress solutions to shell equations are obtained by the perturbation method as well as an iterative method. Plots of internal stresses in the shell with a stationary as well as a steadily running crack are presented. These results are compared with those related to flat plates. It is concluded that the shell curvature has a pronounced effect on increasing the values of crack tip stresses. It would also qualitatively affect the variation of stress field around the crack tip. In some cases, the curvature action is shown to be even more pronounced than the inertia effects.