Effect of Specimen Geometry on Stress Intensity Factors of Inclined Crack by Finite Element Method

A rectangular plate with inclined cracks of different crack lengths at different crack inclination angles under biaxial loading condition are being analyzed in mixed mode condition using finite element method (FEM) for the determination of stress intensity factors (SIFs). With increases of the width of the plate and the crack length ratio, SIF increases up to 45° of crack inclination angle and then decreases; maximum value is obtained at 45° of crack inclination angle. With the increasing value of size factor, the value of SIF starts decreasing. The accuracy of the results of the proposed method is validated by comparing with the previously obtained results by theoretical and experimental methods. The FEM results give significant result for the two-dimensional mixed mode loading conditions.