MIXED-MODE CRACK PROPAGATION ANALYSIS IN ORTHOTROPIC PLATES WITH CENTRAL AND HOLE-EDGE CRACKS UNDER TENSILE LOADING

Abstract

The inhomogeneity and anisotropy in orthotropic bodies make their analysis and damage mechanisms more important and complex. To simplify the analysis and facilitate numerical implementation, we assume that the material is homogeneous. This assumption allows us to use classical analytical models while maintaining a consistent representation of the overall mechanical behavior. The aim of this work is to analyse crack propagation in orthotropic materials under tensile stress. Two configurations are studied: the first is a central crack of length (2a), and the second is two cracks of length (a) at the ends of a hole in the center of the plate. Two main factors were considered: the size of the crack and the orientation of the crack. The results made it possible to define the cracking mode (MODE I, II or III) and to calculate the values of the stress intensity factors corresponding to each mode. It was found that the orientation of the crack causes a shear failure mode and that the stress concentration generated by the hole in the plate accelerates crack propagation.