A review and assessment of the stress-intensity factors for surface cracks

The stress-intensity factor solutions proposed for a surface crack in a finite plate subjected to uniform tension are reviewed. Fourteen different solutions for the stress-intensity factors are compared. These solutions were obtained over the past 16 years using approximate analytical methods, experimental methods, and engineering estimates. The accuracy is assessed of the various solutions by correlating fracture data on surface-cracked tension specimens made of a brittle epoxy material. Fracture of the epoxy material was characterized by a constant value of stress-intensity factor at failure. Thus, the correctness of the various solutions is judged by the variations in the stress-intensity factors at failure. The solutions were ranked in order of minimum standard deviation. The highest ranking solutions correlated 95 percent of data analyzed within + or - 10 percent, whereas the lowest ranking solutions correlated 95 percent of data analyzed within + or - 20 percent. However, some solutions could be applied to all data considered, whereas others are limited with respect to crack shapes and crack sizes that could be analyzed.