Local limit load solutions for surface cracks in plates and cylinders using finite element analysis

By using non-linear finite element (FE) analysis, limit load solutions of plates and cylinders containing surface cracks are determined. The study covers both shallow and deep cracks with different crack length/crack depth ratios under different loading types. The crack configurations consist of semi-elliptical surface cracks with a/t = 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80 and l/a = 2, 5, 10 in plates and cylinders. Also studied are plates containing infinite surface cracks with a/t = 0.00, 0.20, 0.40, 0.60 and 0.80. The cracked plates are subjected to pure tension, pure bending and combined tension and bending. The cracked cylinders are subjected to internal pressure. Based on FE results obtained from this study new limit load solutions are developed for these crack configurations. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.