Three-Dimensional Stress Field Near the Crack Front of a Thin Elastic Plate

Based on very detailed full-field finite element analysis of the near tip region of a thin isotropic elastic plate, the three-dimensional stress state in the vicinity of a through-crack front is characterized. The computed stress field reveals strong three-dimensional effects within a radial distance of about one-half thickness from the crack-tip. Further away from the tip, through-thickess variation of field quantities decreases and, at the...