Analysis of an isotropic plate containing three identical circular holes arranged in a triangular configuration

Analytical and finite element calculations are used to determine the mutual influence of three identical circular holes in a stressed isotropic plate. The plate is assumed to be infinitely long with a small thickness, and the loading consists of in-plane longitudinal, transverse or biaxial tension applied at infinity. The lines joining the centers of the holes form a triangle with sides that vary in length in order to study the influence of the holes proximity to each other on the stress field in the plate and on the stress concentration around the contour of any one of the holes. Furthermore, the finite element model is intended to corroborate results from an analytical method that the authors have previously developed.