Analytical solution for embedded elliptical cracks,and finite element alternating method for elliptical surface cracks,subjected to arbitrary loadings

The complete solution for an embedded elliptical crack in an infinite solid and subjected to arbitrary tractions on the crack surface is rederived from Vijayakumar and Atluri's general solution procedure. The general procedure for evaluating the necessary elliptic integrals in the generalized solution for elliptical crack is also derived in this paper. The generalized solution is employed in the Schwartz alternating technique in conjunction with the finite element method. This finite element-alternating method gives an inexpensive way to evaluate accurate stress intensity factors for embedded or elliptical cracks in engineering structural components.