Plastic limit loads of defective square plates

The accuracy of defect assessment methods is directly related to the accurate estimation of the limit load of the analyzed defective component. This paper provides closed form solutions of square plates with an elliptical defect subjected to uniaxial and biaxial tension. The defect is assumed to be located in the center of the plate. Lower and upper bounds to the external loads are determined for all parameters of the elliptical defect compared to the length of the side of the plate. Comparisons with the results from detailed finite element limit analyses show good agreement.