A unified approach to the analysis of nonlinear stress and strain fields ahead of mode III-loaded notches and cracks

This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of nonlinear stress fields in the neighbourhood of out-of-plane loaded notches with different opening angles, with the effect of varying notch root radius being included. Taking advantage of the unified analytical frame, stress and strain distributions ahead of the notch tip are determined for different nonlinear material laws, those most commonly used by engineers engaged in nonlinear notch analyses. Some well-known solutions due to Neuber and Rice, as well as some recent developments by the present authors can be seen as particular cases of the general approach presented herein. A discussion focused on the shape and the extension of the plastic zone ahead of the notches is also included. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.