Two equal symmetric circular arc cracks in an elastic medium -- the Dugdale approach (Q1291868)

We propose the Dugdale model for two equal, symmetrically situated coplanar circular arc cracks contained in an infinite elastic perfectly-plastic plate. Biaxial loads are applied at the infinite boundary of the plate. Consequently, the rims of the cracks open in mode I and develop a plastic zone ahead of each of the cracks. These plastic zones are then closed by the distribution of uniform normal closing stresses over the rims of the plastic zones. Based on the complex variable technique and the superposition principle, we obtain the solution for the above problem.