Interactions of double slanted cracks under mode I loading

Abstract

This paper presents numerical analysis of double slanted central cracks in square plates under mode I tension stress. ANSYS finite element program is used to model and solve the problem of slanted cracks where the stress intensity factor is determined according to J-integral approach. Three relative crack length, a/W = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 is used while relative spacing between the cracks, s/2a are ranged between 0.1 to 0.6. In order to study the roles of slanted cracks on the stress intensity factor, several slanted angles are used such as 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 75°. According to the numerical analysis, all parameters above played an important role in determining the stress intensity factors. As expected, longer crack produced higher stress intensity factor. For the cracks with a/W ≤ 0.2, insignificant crack interaction is observed however when crack reached a/W=0.3, the interaction is gradually increased. Increasing the slanted angles slightly increased the interaction factor however the effect of relative crack spacing became insignificant.