Mathematical model for crack arrest of an infinite plate weakened by a finite and two semi-infinite cracks

The problem of an unbounded plate weakened by three quasi-static coplanar and collinear straight cracks: two semi-infinite cracks and a finite crack situated symmetrically between two semi-infinite cracks, is investigated. The plate is subjected to uniform unidirectional in-plane tension at infinite boundary. Developed plastic zones are arrested by distributing cohesive yield point stress over their rims. The solution is obtained using complex variable technique. Closed form analytic expressions are derived for load bearing capacity and crack-tip-opening displacement (CTOD). A case study is presented for CTOD and load bearing capacity versus crack length, plastic zone length and inter-crack distance etc. Results are presented graphically and analyzed.