Analytical solutions for crack opening displacements of eccentric cracks in thin-walled metallic plates

In the context of the prevalence of thin-walled metallic aerospace structures, the added resistance to crack propagation offered by a built-up structure is desirable from a damage tolerance standpoint. The analysis of failure in such structures, however, is limited by the lack of crack opening solutions. This paper develops analytical models that calculate crack opening displacements (CODs) for a more general cracking scenario, i.e. non-symmetric cracks. The proposed models are based on the Westergaard stress functions. It is then found that the COD solution of one model is particularly accurate. The potential significance of the obtained solutions lies in analysing failure in built-up structures containing non-symmetric cracks. The crack opening solution is particularly useful in estimating the load transfer between cracked body and intact bridging structures in built-up structures using the principle of displacement compatibility.