Determining the stress intensity factor by using the principle of minimum potential energy (Q1096470)

Expressing the total potential energy of a cracked body by Williams' infinite series solution of stress and displacement components with coefficients \(A_ n\) \((n=1,2,...)\), we obtain a set of simultaneous linear equations of unknown coefficients \(A_ n\) by using the principle of minimum potential energy. When the set of equations is solved, the stress intensity factor \(K_ 1\) can be easily determined. It is equal to \(\sqrt{2\pi a}A_ 1\). As an example a single-edge-cracked plate under tension, with the ratio of crack length to the width of the plate being 0.5 and the ratio of half plate height to the width of the plate being 2.0 and 2.5, has been calculated. Only 20-30 coefficients are taken, and the errors in stress intensity factors are within 5 \%.