Distributions of the elastic principal stress due to notches in finite size plates and rounded bars uniaxially loaded

The paper presents approximate expressions suitable for describing the elastic distribution of the maximum principal stress in plates and round bars subjected to uniaxial loads. The closed form expressions are valid over the entire ligament width and represent an extension of an analytical frame recently reported in the literature and valid only for the highly stressed zone surrounding the notch tip. Such an extension is obtained by simply imposing global equilibrium conditions, both to notched plates and axi-symmetric rounded bars. Existing analogies between the stress distributions induced by elliptic, slim parabolic and V-shaped notches are discussed on the basis of theoretical and numerical evidence. Finally, the accuracy of the new expressions has been examined against finite element results showing a good agreement. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.