Stress intensity factors in anisotropic plates using singular isoparametric elements

A conformable displacement model is presented for the finite element analysis of stress intensity factors in linear elastic fracture mechanics. The method is an extension to anisotropic materials of the one developed by Benzley for isotropic materials. Very good agreement is shown for the case of inclined cracks in an orthotropic plate between finite element results and those obtained by least squares collocation of stress functions.