Two-dimensional stress distributions in tensioned orthotropic plates weakened by blunt V-shaped notches

In this work, a comprehensive analytical and numerical study on the two-dimensional stress fields in orthotropic plates with blunt notches is carried out. Initially, a quick review of the available solutions for lateral notches is presented. Later on, using Lekhnitskii's approach, a new analytical solution is derived which explicitly accounts for the local geometry of the notch, such as the notch root radius and the notch opening angle, as well as the elastic properties of the material. Theoretical predictions based on the new solution are compared with the results from a bulk of 2D finite element analyses carried out on tensioned plates weakened by lateral hyperbolic and blunt V-shaped notches, showing a very satisfactory agreement.