T-stress for a centrally cracked Brazilian disk under confining pressure

An analytical formula for calculating the T-stress in a centrally cracked Brazilian disk under both diametric forces and confining pressure, is presented by using the weight function method. It is very accurate for a alpha <= 0.95 with 100 terms, and can be expediently used for arbitrary crack lengths and loading angles. In addition, the effect of confining pressure on the T-stress is also investigated, and it is shown that the T-stress increases with increase of confining pressure. There is a significant effect of confining pressure on the T-stress for a centrally cracked Brazilian disk with a large crack length and loading angle. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.