On the strain energy release rate for a cracked plate subjected to out-of-plane bending moment

For a through-the-thickness crack in an infinite plate subjected to out-of-plane uniform bending moment, the strain energy release rate is determined using the virtual crack extension and the variation of potential energy. It is shown that the strain energy release rate for the Reissner's plate approaches the classical plate solution as the ratio of plate thickness to crack size becomes infinitesimally small. By using this result, the limiting expression of the stress intensity factor can be explicitly obtained. For general problems, the modified crack closure method is shown to be an efficient tool for evaluating the strain energy release rates from which the stress intensity factor can be calculated. Both the classical plate element and the Mindlin plate element are investigated, and the applicability of the classical plate element is evaluated.Because the stress-free conditions along the crack face lead to inter-penetration of the plate, a line contact model is assumed to investigate the closure effect using Reissner plate theory. Closure at the compressive side is shown to reduce crack opening displacement and consequently the stress intensity factors. When closure is considered, the strain energy rate based on the Reissner plate theory converges to the classical plate solution. This is similar to the nonclosure case.