The application of asymptotic solutions to a semi-elliptical crack at the root of a notch

This paper presents an approximate method based on asymptotic solutions for estimating the stress intensity factor K for semi-elliptic surface cracks at stress concentrations. The proposed equation for estimating K makes use of the near-notch and remote-notch solution to interpolate over the entire range from shallow to deep cracks. The near-notch solution is obtained by means of the stress concentration factor. For cracks located in the remote stress field, K is obtained by considering the crack to be located in a smooth plate with a crack depth equal to the sum of the notch depth and the actual crack depth. The accuracy of the predictions is assessed using numerical calculations and solutions found in the literature.